The Angolan Civil War for AP World History

Feb 9

2 min read

The Angolan Civil War is an illustrative example of the Effects of the Cold War topic in Unit 8 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.

Tree Growing in Abandoned Tank in Angola — Tree Growing in Abandoned Tank Painted White 2269945987/Shutterstock

The Angolan Civil War, which raged from 1975 to 2002, is a prime example of a proxy war during the Cold War, with the superpower rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union playing a significant role in fueling and prolonging the conflict. The roots of the civil war can be traced back to Angola’s struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule, which culminated in Portugal’s withdrawal in 1975. However, the vacuum left by the departing colonial power quickly became a battleground for competing nationalist movements, each supported by external powers with their own strategic interests.

One of the main factions in the conflict was the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a Marxist-Leninist group that declared independence for Angola in November 1975. The MPLA, led by Agostinho Neto, received extensive support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, which provided military aid, training, and troops to bolster its revolutionary cause and establish a socialist government in Luanda.

Opposing the MPLA were various anti-communist factions, most notably the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas Savimbi, and the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA). UNITA, in particular, garnered significant support from the United States and South Africa, both of which viewed the MPLA’s ascent to power as a threat to their interests in the region. The United States, in particular, feared the spread of communism in Southern Africa and sought to counter Soviet influence by backing anti-communist forces in Angola.

The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union transformed Angola into a proxy battleground, with each superpower providing military and logistical support to its respective allies. The conflict quickly escalated into a brutal and protracted civil war, marked by widespread violence, human rights abuses, and humanitarian crises. The involvement of foreign powers exacerbated the bloodshed and hindered efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The Angolan Civil War finally came to an end in 2002 with the death of Jonas Savimbi and the signing of a peace agreement between the MPLA government and UNITA rebels. However, the legacy of the conflict continues to reverberate in Angola, with deep-seated divisions, socio-economic challenges, and the task of rebuilding a nation torn apart by decades of war. The Angolan Civil War is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of proxy conflicts fueled by Cold War rivalries and the enduring impact of external interference in internal conflicts.