Independent Africa: Angola Flashcards
African states became ______ at the height of the Cold War.
independent
Why did the superpowers compete to get allies in Africa?
Links to CW - the US and USSR were in competition to extend their spheres of influence and spread their various ideologies (capitalism vs communism. They gave aid and weapons.
How did the US involve themselves in Africa? Why?
USA and West: wanted to protect trade links + support pro-Western
governments.
Aimed to extend sphere of influence and land western-oriented leaders in positions of power, thus giving themselves allies and spreading capitalism.
How did the USSR involve themselves in Africa? Why?
USSR: gave aid to nationalist movements vs colonialism + anti-Western governments.
Aimed to extend sphere of influence and land communist-oriented leaders in positions of power, thus giving themselves allies and spreading communism.
Why were many African states suspicious of the West?
Many Africa states suspicious of the West because of links to colonialism +
Apartheid.
Superpowers competed for areas they could dominate or control by…?
- Establishing trade partnerships
- Providing arms or aid to govts in power
- Providing arms or aid to rebel groups
- Supporting opposing sides in civil wars
Features of US involvement in Africa?
- Intervention in Congo to counter Soviet influence
- Intervention in Somalia to counter Soviet influence in Ethiopia
- Africa seen as a source of valuable minerals
- Wanted to protect the interests of mining and trading companies
Features of Soviet involvement in Africa?
- Supported anti-Western governments in Mozambique and Angola
- Supplied weapons to Somalia and Ethiopia
- Aid often accompanied by Cuban troops and technicians (Cuba = major
communist state in South America)
Features of Chinese involvement in Africa?
- 1970s: more Chinese than Soviet aid to Africa
- Chinese workers and technicians worked alongside locals on projects
- E.g. Tan-Zam railway linking Zambia to the coast of Tanzania
Angola was a _____ colony for over 400 years.
Portuguese
When and how was Portugal’s colonisation of Angola finalised?
- Berlin Conference 1885: control formalised
- 1951: Portugal considered Angola to be an overseas province of Portugal - Policy of Assimilation began
Who were Portugal’s three African colonies?
Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau
By the 1950’s in Angola, a desire for ________ emerged.
Independence
How did Portugal react to Angola wanting independence? What happened as a result?
- Portugal was determined to maintain control of its colonies
- Lead by right-wing government of Antonia Salazar
- In the 1960s, the War of Independence started
When was the War of Independence in Angola?
1960s
Who were the three resistance movements?
MPLA, FNLA, UNITA.
Who were the MPLA?
MPLA: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (1956)
- Led by: Agostinho Neto
(from 1979: Jose Eduardo dos Santos) - Multi-ethnic: whites, mesticos & Ambundu.
- Supported during independence by Soviet Union
- Supported after independence by Soviet Union and Cuba
Who were the FNLA?
FNLA: National Front for the
Liberation of Angola
(1962)
-Led by: Holden Roberto.
-Comprised of: Initially Bakongo people in the north, but then became nationalist.
- Supported during independence by China
- Supported after independence by USA and South Africa
Who were UNITA?
UNITA: National Union for the
Total Independence of
Angola (1966)
- Led by: Jonas Savimbi
- Comprised of: Ovimbundu ethnic group.
- Supported during independence by China
- Supported after independence by USA and South Africa
What happened in 1961?
- 1961: Uprisings in Luanda and northern Angola
- Start of liberation struggle
- Causes: loss of land; harsh treatment by settlers and traders
How long did it take Angola to become Independent after the uprisings began?
Struggle for liberation lasts from 1961 to
1974
How was Portugal affected by the war of Independence?
The colonial war was a drain on Portuguese
economy.
What happened in 1974?
- 1974: military coup in Portugal, Salazar’s dictatorship overthrown
Who was the dictator of Portugal?
Lead by right-wing government of Antonia Salazar.
What happened in 1975?
1975: New government announces independence for African colonies
What was the problem Angola faced immediately after winning the war of independence?
Who was going to govern Angola?
How did Angola solve the leadership problem after they won the war of independence?
They formed the ALVOR AGREEMENT.
January 1975 = Leaders of MPLA, FNLA & UNITA agree to form a transitional government and organise elections.
However this did not go to plan.
Why did the Alvor Agreement fail?
Outside powers become involved:
- Angola was a newly independent county that was rich in natural resources (oil, diamonds, gold, copper and fertile land).
- Both the USA and USSR wanted to bring it under their sphere of influence to monopolise the trade in these natural resources
- Bitter power struggle developed
- Unclear which group would take control when the Portuguese left
Why did outside powers become involved?
Angola was a newly independent county that was rich in natural resources (oil, diamonds, gold, copper and fertile land). Both the USA and USSR wanted to bring it under their sphere of influence to monopolise the trade in these natural resources
What were the idealogical standings of each party?
MPLA: Communist (supported by Soviets)
FNLA: Not at all communist (supported by USA)
UNITA: Maoist (supported by China)
The failure of the Alvor Agreement led to..?
Civil war in Angola.
What was the situation for each party at the start of the civil war?
- FNLA in strong position: support from China, links with CIA; main support in north
- UNITA: some arms from China; support of largest ethnic group; main support in
south - MPLA: initially weakened by internal divisions, but then USSR and Cuba sent aid to MPLA – so have a strong army