The Brezhnev Era, 1972-1985: Developments in Africa and the Americas - the Impact of Cuban Intervention in Angola

Question 1

Angola was a former colony of which country?

Answer 1

• Portugal

Question 2

When did the Portuguese start fighting against Angolan nationalists?

Answer 2

• Since early 1960s

Question 3

When does Portugal grant Angola independence?

Answer 3

• April 1974

Question 4

Which factions were part of the interim Angolan government?

Answer 4

• MPLA (Marxist)
• UNITA (Maoist)
• FNLA (Pro-US)

Question 5

Which countries supported each faction?

Answer 5

• MPLA

• Cuba
• USSR
• China

• UNITA

• China
• US

• FNLA

• South Africa
• US
• China

Question 6

Was the interim government successful?

Answer 6

• Three factions aimed for independence but alliances broke down after Portuguese withdrawal
• Spring of 1975 - civil war starts

Question 7

When did the civil war start?

Answer 7

• Spring of 1975

Question 8

How did Cuba aid the MPLA during the civil war?

Answer 8

• October 1975
- Cuban forces protect Luanda from FNLA and South African forces

• November 1975
- Cubans won against South Africans in Luanda and create People’s Republic of Angola (PRA)

• By late January 1976
- 12,000 Cuban troops supporting MPLA

• March 1976
- MPLA reaches final victory

Question 9

When did Cuba protect Luanda from FNLA and South Africa?

Answer 9

• October 1975

Question 10

When did MPLA win against the South Africans and the FNLA in Luanda? What did the MPLA form following the victory?

Answer 10

• November 1975
• Cuba created the People’s Republic of Angola (PRA)
• Neto becomes leader of PRA

Question 11

How many Cuban troops were supporting the MPLA by late January 1976?

Answer 11

• 12,000

Question 12

When did the MPLA achieve their final victory?

Answer 12

• March 1976

Question 13

What aid did Cuba provide the PRA with following the civil war?

Answer 13

• Early 1977
- Cuba began removing troops but promised PRA military aid from external threats (South Africa)

• 1988

• High of 52,000 Cuban troops in Angola
• Provided 1000s of experts in infrastructure development, healthcare and education
• Provided scholarships for Angolans to study in Cuba

Question 14

What Cuba promise PRA in early 1977?

Answer 14

• Cuba began removing troops

- Promised PRA military aid from external threats (South Africa)

Question 15

What aid had Cuba provided the PRA by 1988?

Answer 15

• Peak of 52,000 troops in PRA
• Provided 1000s of experts in fields of infrastructure development, healthcare and education
• Provided scholarships for Angolans to study in Cuba

Question 16

What did the US think of Cuba’s actions in Angola?

Answer 16

• Believed Cuba was acting on behalf of USSR as a ‘Soviet surrogate’ in Kissinger’s words

Question 17

Was Castro really acting as a ‘Soviet surrogate’?

Answer 17

• Castro sent support to Cuba on his own, not part of monolithic communism
• Castro was at an ‘ideological high’ in Kissinger’s words, eager to spread communism