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)
• ENLA (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 FLA 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 FLA 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