Independent Africa - Angola

Flashcards reviewing the lecture notes on Angola's journey to independence, the Angolan War of Independence, and the subsequent Civil War, including key figures and international involvement.

What turned the Cold War into a 'hot war' in Angola during the mid-1970s?

The challenges facing the newly independent Angola were exploited by the superpowers (USA and USSR) and their allies to expand their sphere of influence, leading to a civil war fought along Cold War battle lines.

Where is Angola located in relation to the DRC, Namibia, and Zambia?

Angola is a large country south of the DRC, with a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It lies to the north of Namibia and to the west of Zambia.

What is the capital city of Angola, and where is it located?

The capital city of Angola is Luanda, and it is located on the coast of Luanda Bay.

When did the Portuguese initially colonize the area that is now Angola?

The Portuguese initially colonized Angola from 1575, when São Paulo de Loanda (Luanda) was established.

How did the Portuguese come into conflict with the Ndongo Kingdom, and what did they name the colony after?

The Portuguese colonization brought them into conflict with the Ndongo Kingdom. They named the colony Angola after the Ndongo word for ruler, 'ngola'.

What event consolidated the colony’s boundaries, and what resources were extracted from Angola?

The colony’s boundaries were consolidated at the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference. Resources extracted included rubber, food crops, cattle, and ivory. Mines and railways were also established.

Who ignored the Angolan's demands for independence after World War II?

The fascist Portuguese government, under the leadership of António Salazar, ignored their demands.

When was the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) formed, and what kind of roots did it have?

The Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA) was formed in 1956, and it had strong communist roots.

Who became the leader of the MPLA in 1962?

Agostinho Neto became the leader of the MPLA in 1962.

Which countries and organizations supported the MPLA?

The USSR, Cuba, East Germany, Romania, Tanzania, and the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) supported the MPLA.

When did Holden Roberto found a political party that later became known as the FNLA?

Holden Roberto founded a political party in 1954, which later became known as the FNLA in 1962.

What was the initial basis of the Frente Nacional de Libertação de Angola (FNLA)?

The organization was initially based on Bakongo nationalism but tried to become a national liberation organization.

Which countries supported the FNLA during the Angolan War of Independence?

The DRC/Zaire, the USA, China, France, and Israel supported the FNLA during the Angolan War of Independence.

When did Jonas Savimbi found UNITA, and what was its full name?

In 1966, Jonas Savimbi founded the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA).

Who primarily supported UNITA in the South-east of Angola?

UNITA had a lot of support from the Ovimbundu people.

Which countries supported UNITA during the Angolan War of Independence?

China, the USA, Egypt, and South Africa supported UNITA during the Angolan War of Independence.

When did the Angolan War of Independence break out?

The Angolan War of Independence broke out in January 1961.

Which superpowers supported the liberation movements, and why?

The USSR supported the MPLA due to its communist leanings, while the USA supported both the FNLA and UNITA because they seemed anti-communist.

Which liberation movements did China support, and why?

China supported the FNLA and, to a lesser extent, UNITA after the relationship between China and the USSR worsened, denouncing 'Soviet imperialism'.

What was the name of the army mutiny in Portugal in 1974, and what was its result?

The army mutiny was called the Carnation Revolution, and it overthrew Portugal’s fascist regime, leading to Portugal granting independence to its colonies.

When was the Alvor Agreement signed, and who were the signatories?

The Alvor Agreement was signed in January 1975 by Roberto, Neto, and Savimbi with Portugal, agreeing to end the Angolan War of Independence and grant Angola independence.

What were the key agreements of the Alvor Agreement?

The key agreements were to end the Angolan War of Independence, hold Angolan general elections in October 1975, and grant Angola independence in November 1975.

When did the conflict between the three liberation movements begin to surface?

Conflict between the three liberation movements began to surface by July 1975.

When did Angola become independent, and what did the subsequent conflict come to be called?

Angola became independent on November 11, 1975, and the subsequent conflict came to be called the Angolan Civil War.

At the start of the Angolan Civil War, which liberation movement had the most powerful military force, and who supported it?

The FNLA had the most powerful military force and formed an alliance with UNITA, receiving military support from South African troops and financial support from the USA. Zaire and China also supported the FNLA.

Who arrived to support the MPLA during the Angolan Civil War?

Cuban forces arrived to support the MPLA, along with Soviet military equipment.

What actions did the MPLA take to demonstrate their socialist regime and what problems did they encounter?

The MPLA tried to run a socialist-type regime based in Luanda; they wanted to take control of Cabinda, but the civil service experienced major problems due to the sudden departure of the Portuguese.

How did international involvement prolong the Angolan Civil War?

The MPLA was supported by the USSR and Cuba, while UNITA and the FNLA were supported by the USA, South Africa, Zaire, and China. This led to continued conflict.

What was the significance of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale?

The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale was a major conflict between FAPLA (MPLA's armed wing) supported by Cuban forces against UNITA and the SADF. It led to negotiations including Cuba and South Africa.

What was the outcome of the New York Accords in December 1988?

The New York Accords ended foreign involvement in the Angolan Civil War and granted independence to Namibia (South-West Africa).

What were the Bicesse Accords, when were they signed, and what did they aim to achieve?

The Bicesse Accords were signed in May 1991 by the MPLA and UNITA, agreeing to multi-party elections and the unification of the armed forces.

What events led to the resumption of the civil war after the 1992 elections?

Savimbi declared that the elections had been ‘rigged,’ followed by the MPLA killing UNITA supporters in the Halloween Massacre, causing the civil war to resume.

What was the Lusaka Protocol, and what was its intended purpose?

The Lusaka Protocol, signed in 1994, aimed to have UNITA disarm and be integrated into the army and police force.

What events finally led to the end of the Angolan Civil War?

The war ended in 2002 when Savimbi was killed, leading UNITA to agree to a ceasefire and sign the Luena Memorandum and the Lusaka Protocol.

What were some of the key impacts of Angola's independence on regional stability?

Angola's independence led to less stability, influxes of refugees from the Civil War into Zaire and Zambia, and encouragement for Black Liberation Movements against white domination in Southern Africa.