Booklet 11 - Proxy Wars:
Timeline overview:
Proxy War (definition):
A war instigated or influenced by a major power in which it does not itself become directly
involved (e.g. Korea, China, Vietnam).
, Angola:
Angola was a Portuguese colony from the 1600s to the 1900s. In the 1960s, Portugal fought
against rebels seeking independence. A 1974 coup in Portugal led to decolonisation,
creating a power vacuum. A coalition government (MPLA, UNITA, FNLA) was formed but
collapsed into civil war in 1975.
The U.S., South Africa, and Zaire (modern day DRC) backed the FNLA to prevent a Marxist
government, while Cuba and the USSR supported the MPLA. South African troops entered
Angola, but Cuban forces helped the MPLA push them back. In 1975, the MPLA declared
the People's Republic of Angola, aligning with the USSR. A year later in March 1976 they
defeated the FNLA and the MPLA’s rule of Angola was recognised by the ANC. 1976 Treaty
of Friendship with the USSR.
Soviet support declined in the 1980s (in 1986 Gorbachev reduced support for the MPLA as
part of its efforts to improve relations with the USA), and by 1988 there was a Peace
Agreement, and Cuban and South African troops withdrew. Though the FNLA was defeated,
conflict with UNITA continued until 2002.
● MPLA (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola): Marxist element of the
coalition government. Backed by the USSR.
○ USSR sent arms and equipment to the MPLA, advancing its ideological
(support of global revolution) and strategic (limiting Chinese influence in
Africa after the Sino-Soviet split). They also wanted to avoid accusations of
not supporting Marxist movements.
○ Cuba sent military support instructors to support the MPLA, as part of its
support of revolutionary movements. In 1975, they sent 12,000 troops.
● UNITA (Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola): Initially Maoist
part of the coalition government.
● FNLA (Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola): Nationalist, pro-US group.
Supported by China, the USA, South Africa, and Zaire (modern day DRC).
○ China, in 1974, sent 120 military advisors to aid the FNLA.
○ The USA sent $41 million in arms and support, concerned about the rise of
communist regimes after a period of decolonisation.
○ South Africa supported the FNLA out of fear that the MPLA would give the
African National Congress a power base from which to attack apartheid in
South Africa.
Timeline overview:
Proxy War (definition):
A war instigated or influenced by a major power in which it does not itself become directly
involved (e.g. Korea, China, Vietnam).
, Angola:
Angola was a Portuguese colony from the 1600s to the 1900s. In the 1960s, Portugal fought
against rebels seeking independence. A 1974 coup in Portugal led to decolonisation,
creating a power vacuum. A coalition government (MPLA, UNITA, FNLA) was formed but
collapsed into civil war in 1975.
The U.S., South Africa, and Zaire (modern day DRC) backed the FNLA to prevent a Marxist
government, while Cuba and the USSR supported the MPLA. South African troops entered
Angola, but Cuban forces helped the MPLA push them back. In 1975, the MPLA declared
the People's Republic of Angola, aligning with the USSR. A year later in March 1976 they
defeated the FNLA and the MPLA’s rule of Angola was recognised by the ANC. 1976 Treaty
of Friendship with the USSR.
Soviet support declined in the 1980s (in 1986 Gorbachev reduced support for the MPLA as
part of its efforts to improve relations with the USA), and by 1988 there was a Peace
Agreement, and Cuban and South African troops withdrew. Though the FNLA was defeated,
conflict with UNITA continued until 2002.
● MPLA (Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola): Marxist element of the
coalition government. Backed by the USSR.
○ USSR sent arms and equipment to the MPLA, advancing its ideological
(support of global revolution) and strategic (limiting Chinese influence in
Africa after the Sino-Soviet split). They also wanted to avoid accusations of
not supporting Marxist movements.
○ Cuba sent military support instructors to support the MPLA, as part of its
support of revolutionary movements. In 1975, they sent 12,000 troops.
● UNITA (Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola): Initially Maoist
part of the coalition government.
● FNLA (Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola): Nationalist, pro-US group.
Supported by China, the USA, South Africa, and Zaire (modern day DRC).
○ China, in 1974, sent 120 military advisors to aid the FNLA.
○ The USA sent $41 million in arms and support, concerned about the rise of
communist regimes after a period of decolonisation.
○ South Africa supported the FNLA out of fear that the MPLA would give the
African National Congress a power base from which to attack apartheid in
South Africa.
