Why did the USA get involved in Angola to support of South Africa, FNLA and UNITA against the MPLA liberation movement?

Question

USA did not Cuba in Angola
USA wanted South Africa to colonize Angola
The USA was unwilling to allow another African country to fall to communism
USA preferred capitalist government

Answer 1

The primary reason for the USA's involvement in Angola, supporting groups like FNLA and UNITA against the MPLA, was largely rooted in Cold War dynamics. The United States was concerned about the spread of communism in Africa, particularly after the MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and Cuba. The USA aimed to prevent another country from adopting a communist regime, especially in the context of a post-colonial Africa where anti-colonial movements were prevalent.

Thus, the most accurate answer from your options would be:

• The USA was unwilling to allow another African country to fall to communism.

While the USA did prefer capitalist governments, their involvement was primarily driven by the strategic goal of containing communism during the Cold War era. The support for South Africa was more complex, primarily related to regional stability and anti-communism rather than a desire for South Africa to colonize Angola. The USA's strategic partnerships were largely influenced by the ideological battle between capitalism and communism prevalent at the time.