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Why did foreign powers become involved in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
Why did foreign powers become involved in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow. 2.1 St... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Why did foreign powers become involved in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
What incident, according to the source, led to the process of decolonisation in Portugal?
Answer
The source states that in April 1974, junior officers belonging to the Movement of the Armed Forces (MFA) attempted to overthrow the Salazar-Caetano regime, which was significant in the push towards decolonisation.
Step 2
Define the concept decolonisation in your own words.
Answer
Decolonisation refers to the process by which colonies achieve independence from colonial powers. This involves the withdrawal of colonial administration and the restoration of sovereignty to the colonised countries. Often, it requires renegotiating political, social, and economic relationships.
Step 3
Name the THREE liberation movements in the source that signed the Alvor Agreement in 1975.
Answer
The three liberation movements mentioned in the source that signed the Alvor Agreement are the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola), and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola).
Step 4
Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain what led to the collapse of the Alvor Accord in 1975.
Answer
The collapse of the Alvor Accord in 1975 can be attributed to deep ideological differences among the signatory groups. The MPLA was keen on establishing a communist government, whereas FNLA and UNITA opposed this direction. Moreover, external influences, such as support from foreign powers like Cuba and South Africa, exacerbated the tensions. Additionally, the militarisation of rival factions and disagreements on governance contributed to the breakdown of the accord.
Step 5
Step 6
In the context of the Cold War in Angola, explain the term domino effect.
Answer
In the Cold War context, the domino effect refers to the concern that the spread of communism in Angola would lead to a chain reaction, resulting in other countries in the region also falling to communist influence. This was particularly feared by the USA, leading them to intervene in Angolan affairs.
Step 7
Quote evidence from the source that suggests that the Soviet Union was attempting to establish a military base in Angola.
Answer
The source indicates, 'the CIA feared that the Soviet Union was attempting to establish a military base in Angola,' which illustrates the geopolitical concerns during this period.
Step 8
Why, according to the source, was the question of South Africa coming to an arrangement with the MPLA a non-starter?
Answer
According to the source, the arrangement was deemed a non-starter since the MPLA was a communist organization and South Africa was staunchly anti-communist, making any collaboration politically untenable.
Step 9
Step 10
Comment on the meaning of the statement, 'an Angola under either (FNLA and UNITA) control would form part of an anti-Communist bloc in southern Africa.'
Answer
This statement implies that if the FNLA or UNITA were to gain control in Angola, they would align with South Africa's anti-communist stance, contributing to a regional coalition aimed at containing the spread of communism in Africa. This demonstrates the ideological struggle during the Cold War.
Step 11
Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why South Africa provided limited military aid and funding to both the FNLA and UNITA.
Answer
Despite opposing the MPLA, South Africa provided limited military aid and funding to FNLA and UNITA to avoid direct involvement in the conflict. They sought to maintain plausible deniability while ensuring that they could influence the outcome in favor of their anti-communist interests.
Step 12
Explain how these sources are similar regarding the involvement of the USA and South Africa in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976.
Answer
Both sources indicate that both the USA and South Africa aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Angola. They also highlight the individual interests of both nations in stabilizing the region and maintaining influence over Angolan politics.
Step 13
What messages are conveyed in this poster regarding the involvement of the USA and South Africa in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976?
Answer
The poster conveys the message that foreign powers, particularly the USA and South Africa, were unwelcome in Angola. It further illustrates that their involvement is perceived as an interventionist measure, reminiscent of previous conflicts like Vietnam.
Step 14
Explain the limitations of this source to a historian researching the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976.
Answer
The major limitations of the source include its bias against foreign intervention and its narrow focus, which may skew the interpretation of historical events. Furthermore, the poster lacks detailed evidence of the political motivations for foreign involvement, thus providing a limited perspective.
Step 15
Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining why foreign powers became involved in the Angolan Civil War between 1974 and 1976.
Answer
Foreign powers, notably the USA and the Soviet Union, became involved in the Angolan Civil War due to the Cold War context, where Angola was seen as a battleground for ideological supremacy. The USA aimed to contain communism and protect capitalist interests, while the Soviet Union supported the MPLA to expand its influence in southern Africa. Additionally, regional actors like South Africa intervened to counter perceived communist threats. These complex motivations led to varied forms of support and involvement from multiple countries.