The reasons for and nature of outside involvement in Angola (15) Flashcards
What were the reasons for the outside interest in Angola’s natural resources?
One reason for outside interest was Angola’s natural resources, especially diamonds and oil. But the key reason for outside involvement was the politics of the Cold War era.
What turned Angola into a battleground?
Soviet, American and Chinese support for opposing sides, and intervention by South African and Cuban forces, turned Angola into a battleground of the Cold War conflict.
Why did the USSR support the MPLA?
The USSR initially supported the MPLA because of its pro-Marxist policies. It would obviously suit Soviet interests to have a communist government in power in Angola, with its rich resources and its strategic position next to neighbouring Zaire, a US ally under Mobutu.
What was the Soviet support for the MPLA influenced by?
Soviet support for the MPLA was also influenced by its rivalry with China, and China’s support for the other two liberation movements.
What were the key reasons for Soviet decision to send large quantities of aid to Angola?
Key reasons for the Soviet decision to send large quantities of weapons and Soviet technical advisors to Angola were American support for the rival groups, and South Africa’s invasion of Angola when it seemed as if the MPLA would be defeated.
What did the MPLA declare itself?
After coming to power, the MPLA government declared itself to be a Marxist-Leninist regime, and relied increasingly on support from the Soviet bloc, although its policies were never dictated by the USSR.
What did the US want to prevent?
The US wanted to prevent a Soviet-backed communist government from coming to power in Angola.
What did the US do to prevent this communist revolution?
For this reason, it supplied weapons, funding and supplies to both the FNLA and UNITA. This was stepped up after the American withdrawal from Vietnam.
Why was the US keen to assert its position?
The American government was keen to assert its position in Africa after its humiliating defeat by the communists in Vietnam. They saw this as a way of restoring the balance of power between the superpowers.
What did the US secretly encourage?
However, after its defeat in Vietnam, the USA was not prepared to become directly involved in the fighting by sending troops. They secretly encouraged the invasion by the South African army, hoping that this would prevent the MPLA from coming to power
What was the effect of the US in Africa?
The effect of US involvement was to prolong the civil war.
Why was there a link between Cuba and Angola?
There were strong historical links between Angola and Cuba because slaves from Angola had been shipped to Cuba during the days of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
The Cuban leader, _____ ______, had made an early commitment to support the _______, even before the USSR had become involved. By the mid-1980s there were ________ troops backing the MPLA government forces against ______. This number was later increased to ________.
Fiedel Castro MPLA 20 0000 UNITA 55 000
How many Cuban soldiers died in Angola?
The names of 2 070 Cuban soldiers who died in Angola between 1975 and 1988 are inscribed in a memorial at Freedom Park outside Pretoria, along with the names of South Africans who died in the liberation struggle.
What was the effect of the Cuban involvement in Angola?
The effect of Cuban involvement was to help the MPLA government to stay in power. Cuban involvement also contributed to a settlement over Namibia, because Cuban military strength forced the South African government to re-assess its policies in southern Africa.
