Proxy Wars

Nicaragua

Communists lose in election after years of holding power and fighting off US-backed insurgents

Chile

US-backed military dictator takes over after coup were in socialist president dies by suicide

Cuba

Communist leader takes over from US-backed general and US fails to take the communists out, deal to prevent nukes on Cuba

Angola

Communists take over after brutal civil war against US-backed group

Iran

Both communists and pro-democratic countries vie for power and influence

Congo

US-backed general takes over and assassinates communist president

Afghanistan

Communists withdraw after years of fighting US-backed insurgents

Korea

no change after communist-backed North fails to defeat US-backed South

Vietnam

Northern communists take over whole country despite many years of US supported resistance

Castro

Communist ruler of Cuba

Bay of Pigs invasion

unsuccessful invasion of Cuba by the US

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of north Vietnam

Lumumba

Soviet union supported Congo leader

Mobuto

US-backed military officer who became a dictator in the Congo