HOW DID FOREIGN COUNTRIES BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ANGOLAN CIVIL WAR AFTER 1975? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1

1. USA
2. China
3. USSR/Soviet Union
4. Cuba

The apartheid government supported UNITA to prevent the spread of communism and ensure that Angola remained a bastion against the MPLA, which aligned with Soviet ideology. Supporting UNITA also aimed to use Angola as a base for anti-Namibian operations.

Countries became involved in the Angolan Civil War due to a mix of ideological motivations and strategic interests. The USA and its allies sought to counter communism in Africa, whereas the USSR and Cuba aimed to establish communist influence. Additionally, Angola's resources and geopolitical significance made it a focal point for broader Cold War dynamics.

The MPLA government received substantial military support, including weaponry and troops from both the Soviet Union and Cuba, which were critical to enhancing their military capabilities during the Civil War.

The information is useful as it highlights the extent of external support provided by Cuba and the USA. It showcases Cuba's commitment in deploying troops and military aid while illustrating the USA's strategic interests, thus providing a clearer understanding of the international dimensions of the conflict.

Cuba's pre-condition to withdraw from Angola was the assurance that all foreign troops must also leave Angola, ensuring that the MPLA would not be at a military disadvantage in the conflict.

Cuba likely prescribed pre-conditions to maintain a strategic advantage for the MPLA, preventing a power vacuum that could be exploited by opposing forces. This would ensure that their investment in military support would not be undermined by a quick withdrawal.

Source 2A provides evidence of the direct involvement of countries like the USA and USSR, while Source 2B illustrates the specific military and financial support these nations lent to their respective allies. Together, they highlight how these foreign powers shaped the progression of the civil war.

I think this photograph was published to document and publicize the involvement of foreign nations in the Angolan Civil War, possibly to bolster support for the MPLA and to showcase the struggle against external influences.

The photograph was published by the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola).

The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale is regarded as a turning point as it significantly weakened SADF forces and marked a shift in the tide of the civil war, demonstrating the effectiveness of Cuban support for the MPLA.

Different views on the outcome stem from the complex nature of military engagements. While some argue that the MPLA and Cuban forces achieved a strategic victory, others emphasize the South African perspective, which sees the battle as a failure for the MPLA.

Foreign powers became intricately involved in the Angolan Civil War following 1975 primarily due to ideological alignments. The United States supported UNITA to counter communist influence, while the USSR and Cuba provided military backing to the MPLA. This international involvement not only escalated the conflict but also reflected broader Cold War dynamics, where Angola served as a proxy battleground for competing ideologies. Hence, the civil war became an arena for foreign intervention, influencing its trajectory significantly.