ANGOLA
Africa in the Cold War
o Emergence of independent African states came at the height of the Cold War (1950’s,
1960’s)
o Superpowers tried to gain allies by: supplying weapons and aids
o Overall – negative impact on Africa
o USSR: viewed its role in Africa as helping to liberate African countries from colonial powers –
supported anti-western governments, aided nationalist liberation movements
o USA and the West: became involved to protect trade links and to support pro-western
governments
o Many African states suspicious of the West, associated with colonialism and had links to
apartheid government in RSA
o Africa – affected by conflict between China and USSR
After Sino-Soviet (end of relations between the communist parties) split in 1960,
China more closely linked to developing world
Initiated and financed projects to secure economic liberation, also to check Soviet
advanced in Africa
Chinese – believed that their communism was better suited for developing countries
with large peasant population
Angola: colonialism and independence
o In 1950’s and 1960’s – Portugal strengthened their colonial control instead of granting
independence, like many other African states
o Result outbreak of war between Portuguese troops and national liberation groups in its 3
African colonies: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau
o 1961 liberation struggle in Angola began with uprisings in Luanda and northern Angola
o Causes anger because of loss of land and the harsh treatment by Portuguese settlers and
traders
o By 1970’s the colonial wars were costing nearly half the Portuguese budget
o 1974 army officers in Portugal (who wanted to end the pointless wars) overthrew the
government of the Portuguese dictator, Antonio Salazar, and announced that independence
for African states would be granted ASAP
o The situation in Angola was further complicated by 3 rival liberation groups: MPLA, FNLA and
UNITA
o MPLA:
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
Led by Agostinho Neto
Supported creation of a communist state
Supported by USSR
Main support from the capital Luanda and a few other towns
o FNLA:
The Front for the Liberation of Angola
Led by Holden Roberto
Links with both USA and China – wanted to counteract USSR support for the MPLA
Got support from Mobuto in Zaire (Congo)
Main support from the north
, o UNITA:
The National Union for Total Independence for Angola
Led by Jonas Savimbi
First supported by China, later by the USA and South Africa
Main support from central highlands and the south
o Despite their differences, the Organisation of African Unity managed to get all the groups to
co-operate so that the elections could go ahead and the transition to independence could be
completed
o 3 leaders formed a shaky coalition – agreed to work together to organise elections and draw
up a provisional constitution
o BUT, before elections were held – outside powers got involved (USA, USSR, Cuba, RSA,
China)
o This intensified the rivalry between the 3 groups
o It was unknown which faction would be in control of independent Angola when the
Portuguese left in November 1975
Outbreak of civil war in 1974
o 3 leaders formed a shaky coalition – agreed to work together to organise elections and draw
up a provisional constitution
o BUT, before elections were held – outside powers got involved (USA, USSR, Cuba, RSA,
China) SEE TABLE BELOW.
o Between MPLA, FNLA, UNITA
o FNLA was in a strong position – supported by China and had links with the CIA
o UNITA also received small aid from China, had the support of the largest ethnic group in
Angola – the Ovimbundu
o MPLA – weakened by internal divisions, but in response to China supporting FNLA, the USSR
sent weapons and Cuba sent military advisors to MPLA
o As a result MPLA took control of Luanda and other coastal towns – this alarmed the USA
o They sent funding and supplies, later on weapons, to FNLA and UNITA
o UNITA formally declared war on the 1st of August
o October 1975 – RSA forces invade Angola, a month before Angolan independence
o RSA troops (aided by UNITA and FNLA) quickly occupied large areas of Angola and
threatened Luanda
o Anxious to capture the city before independence day on 11 November, 1975
o MPLA saved from defeat by massive military aid from USSR and Cuba (Soviet arms and
Cuban troops)
o Portuguese withdrew in November 1975 – Agoostinho Neto of the MPLA, declared the
establishment of the Peoples Republic of Angola
o UNITA and the FNLA also declared the independence of Angola – FNLA and UNITA formed an
alliance on the 23rd November
o USA decided against further involvement, war dragged on
o MPLA controlled Luanda, the Cabinda oil wells – Angola main source of income
o It had little control over other parts of the country – fighting continued
o MPLA defeated FNLA – as a result of Soviet and Cuban backing
o After collapse of FNLA – struggle between MPLA and UNITA continued
o MPLA – now known as FAPLA (Peoples Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola) supported
by Cuban troops and USSR supplies.
Africa in the Cold War
o Emergence of independent African states came at the height of the Cold War (1950’s,
1960’s)
o Superpowers tried to gain allies by: supplying weapons and aids
o Overall – negative impact on Africa
o USSR: viewed its role in Africa as helping to liberate African countries from colonial powers –
supported anti-western governments, aided nationalist liberation movements
o USA and the West: became involved to protect trade links and to support pro-western
governments
o Many African states suspicious of the West, associated with colonialism and had links to
apartheid government in RSA
o Africa – affected by conflict between China and USSR
After Sino-Soviet (end of relations between the communist parties) split in 1960,
China more closely linked to developing world
Initiated and financed projects to secure economic liberation, also to check Soviet
advanced in Africa
Chinese – believed that their communism was better suited for developing countries
with large peasant population
Angola: colonialism and independence
o In 1950’s and 1960’s – Portugal strengthened their colonial control instead of granting
independence, like many other African states
o Result outbreak of war between Portuguese troops and national liberation groups in its 3
African colonies: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau
o 1961 liberation struggle in Angola began with uprisings in Luanda and northern Angola
o Causes anger because of loss of land and the harsh treatment by Portuguese settlers and
traders
o By 1970’s the colonial wars were costing nearly half the Portuguese budget
o 1974 army officers in Portugal (who wanted to end the pointless wars) overthrew the
government of the Portuguese dictator, Antonio Salazar, and announced that independence
for African states would be granted ASAP
o The situation in Angola was further complicated by 3 rival liberation groups: MPLA, FNLA and
UNITA
o MPLA:
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
Led by Agostinho Neto
Supported creation of a communist state
Supported by USSR
Main support from the capital Luanda and a few other towns
o FNLA:
The Front for the Liberation of Angola
Led by Holden Roberto
Links with both USA and China – wanted to counteract USSR support for the MPLA
Got support from Mobuto in Zaire (Congo)
Main support from the north
, o UNITA:
The National Union for Total Independence for Angola
Led by Jonas Savimbi
First supported by China, later by the USA and South Africa
Main support from central highlands and the south
o Despite their differences, the Organisation of African Unity managed to get all the groups to
co-operate so that the elections could go ahead and the transition to independence could be
completed
o 3 leaders formed a shaky coalition – agreed to work together to organise elections and draw
up a provisional constitution
o BUT, before elections were held – outside powers got involved (USA, USSR, Cuba, RSA,
China)
o This intensified the rivalry between the 3 groups
o It was unknown which faction would be in control of independent Angola when the
Portuguese left in November 1975
Outbreak of civil war in 1974
o 3 leaders formed a shaky coalition – agreed to work together to organise elections and draw
up a provisional constitution
o BUT, before elections were held – outside powers got involved (USA, USSR, Cuba, RSA,
China) SEE TABLE BELOW.
o Between MPLA, FNLA, UNITA
o FNLA was in a strong position – supported by China and had links with the CIA
o UNITA also received small aid from China, had the support of the largest ethnic group in
Angola – the Ovimbundu
o MPLA – weakened by internal divisions, but in response to China supporting FNLA, the USSR
sent weapons and Cuba sent military advisors to MPLA
o As a result MPLA took control of Luanda and other coastal towns – this alarmed the USA
o They sent funding and supplies, later on weapons, to FNLA and UNITA
o UNITA formally declared war on the 1st of August
o October 1975 – RSA forces invade Angola, a month before Angolan independence
o RSA troops (aided by UNITA and FNLA) quickly occupied large areas of Angola and
threatened Luanda
o Anxious to capture the city before independence day on 11 November, 1975
o MPLA saved from defeat by massive military aid from USSR and Cuba (Soviet arms and
Cuban troops)
o Portuguese withdrew in November 1975 – Agoostinho Neto of the MPLA, declared the
establishment of the Peoples Republic of Angola
o UNITA and the FNLA also declared the independence of Angola – FNLA and UNITA formed an
alliance on the 23rd November
o USA decided against further involvement, war dragged on
o MPLA controlled Luanda, the Cabinda oil wells – Angola main source of income
o It had little control over other parts of the country – fighting continued
o MPLA defeated FNLA – as a result of Soviet and Cuban backing
o After collapse of FNLA – struggle between MPLA and UNITA continued
o MPLA – now known as FAPLA (Peoples Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola) supported
by Cuban troops and USSR supplies.
