Superpower Involvement in the 1975 Angolan Civil War

Cold War Proxy Conflict in Angola

The Angolan Civil War (1975–2002) became a major Cold War battleground with direct involvement from both superpowers:

• Soviet Union – Provided massive military aid, advisors, and Cuban combat troops to the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), the Marxist-Leninist faction that controlled Luanda.
• United States – Supported the UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) and FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola) with funding, weapons, and diplomatic backing, later joined by South African forces.

The war lasted 27 years, caused over 500,000 deaths, and devastated Angola's infrastructure. Superpower rivalry prolonged and intensified the conflict, which only ended after the Cold War's conclusion and the withdrawal of external patrons.