Military history of Angola
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Military history of Angola is marked by a series of conflicts rooted in colonialism and the political mood of the Cold War. During the Cold War, Angola would be involved in struggles against Western powers and South Africa with the help of the USSR and Cuba.
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[edit] Establishment of Angola Colony
In 1655 the Portuguese Empire established its colony in present day Angola with the help of the Kingdom of Kongo. During this time period the relation of the Portuguese Empire with the Kingdom of Kongo would lead to conflicts that would weaken Kongo.
[edit] Battle of Mbwila
The Battle of Mbwila was a small war between the Portuguese Empire in Angola against the Kingdom of Kongo. Despite the size of the conflict, the death of António I of Kongo by the Portuguese would lead to the Kongo Civil War.
[edit] Kongo Civil War
The Kongo Civil War was an internal conflict between rival House of Kinlaza against the House of Kimpanzuof in the Kingdom of Kongo. Numerous other factions got involved in the conflict including the Portuguese Empire. By the end of the war, Kongo's vaunted capital had been destroyed and many BaKongo were sold into the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
[edit] Angolan War of Independence
The Angolan War of Independence was a conflict from 1961 until 1974. It was the first of a series of wars that would be known as the Portuguese Colonial Wars. The conflict was fought by Angolan rebels against the Portuguese Armed Forces. The rebels would receive aid from the USSR while the Portuguese Armed Forces received military support from South Africa.
[edit] Rise of MPLA
The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA was established in 1956 when the Angolan Communist Party (PCA) merged with the Party of the United Struggle for Africans in Angola (PLUA). It is the current ruling party of Angola.
The MPLA has played a major role in country's struggle during the Angolan War of Independence. After the Independence, MPLA would go fight a civil war against UNITA and FNLA from 1975 to 2002.
[edit] Foreign support
During the Angolan War of Independence many communist and African nations supported the rebels. The Cuban Military was heavily involved in the conflict aiding the MPLA. However during the Angolan Civil War the Cuban Military would aid the MPLA while other nations such as the Peoples Republic of China and Zaire would support UNITA and the FNLA.
[edit] South African Border War
The South African Border War was a conflict between SWAPO and the apartheid-South Africa in the territory of South-West Africa from 1965 until 1989. SWAPO was attempting to achieve independence through non-violence in the region that would become Namibian. However war broke out when the South African Police (SAP) with support by South African Air Force helicopters exchanged fire with SWAPO forces.
When weapons from Cuba and Angola was discovered by South African troops the conflict escalated. South Africa attempted to invade Angola. However with the support of Cuban troops and aid from the USSR, Angola was able to repeal the invasion. The conflict ends with South Africa removing troops out of Angola and South-West Africa.
[edit] Angolan Civil War
The Angolan Civil War was a conflict that plagued the country from beginning of its independence until its end in 2002. The war was the longest running conflict in Africa that claimed the lives of a million people. The conflict was between the communist MPLA with the support of Cuba against FNLA along with South Africa and Zaire.
The United States and USSR downplayed their involvement due to their problems faced in Vietnam and Afghanistan. Cuba would become the only major non-African nation to interview in this conflict. The war would end with a MPLA victory and plans for a free election in 2008.
[edit] References
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