The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa (1961-1975)

Clickbait title: "Untold Story: How the Soviet Union Accelerated the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa"

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When discussing the demise of colonial empires in Africa, the focus is often on the efforts made by African nationalists and local independence movements. However, an often overlooked yet significant player in the unraveling of the Portuguese Empire in Africa was the Soviet Union. From 1961 to 1975, the Soviet Union played a substantial role in supporting African liberation movements and turned the tide of the Portuguese empire's influence in the continent. This article delves into the complex relationship between the Soviet Union and the collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, shedding light on the strategies employed and the ultimate consequences that ensued.

Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961–1975 (New Cold War History)

by Natalia Telepneva(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5229 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	304 pages

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The Portuguese Empire in Africa:

Before delving into the Soviet role, it is crucial to understand the magnitude and significance of the Portuguese Empire in Africa. At its height, the Portuguese controlled territories such as Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. These territories served as important colonies, providing Portugal with significant economic and trade advantages. However, as the winds of change swept across the continent, it became increasingly challenging for Portugal to maintain control over its African territories.

The Soviet Union's Supporting Role:

Recognizing the opportunity to challenge Western imperialism and expand its influence, the Soviet Union began supporting African liberation movements in their struggle for independence. The Soviet Union saw the anticolonial movement as a vehicle to spread communism and diminish Western dominance in Africa. Thus, it commenced a comprehensive strategy to assist African countries in their quest for self-determination.

The Soviet Union's support primarily manifested in the form of financial aid, weapons, training, and ideological guidance. It provided considerable funding to nationalist movements, enabling them to acquire arms and establish military capabilities. Furthermore, the Soviet Union trained guerilla fighters, strategists, and military advisors, equipping them to challenge Portuguese forces on the ground.

Countering Allegations:

This article would be remiss without addressing the counterarguments to the Soviet Union's involvement in the Portuguese Empire's collapse. Some argue that the empire's demise was primarily due to internal problems within Portugal and its inability to sustain its colonial rule amidst domestic challenges. While these factors certainly played a role, it would be a simplification to dismiss the Soviet Union's influence in the matter. The support offered by the Soviet Union undoubtedly amplified existing problems and accelerated the empire's eventual collapse.

Consequences and Legacy:

The impact of the Soviet Union's involvement in Africa reverberated long after the Portuguese Empire's collapse. The liberation movements that received Soviet support went on to establish independent nations, some of which became close allies of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Furthermore, the Soviet Union's participation in Africa's decolonization set a precedent for future U.S.S.R involvement in various conflicts throughout the world.

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The Soviet Union's role in the collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa from 1961 to 1975 cannot be underestimated. Its support provided crucial assistance to nationalist movements in their quest for independence, turning the tide against Portuguese colonial rule. Although historical accounts may downplay the Soviet Union's significance, understanding its strategies and actions is essential to fully comprehend the complex process of African decolonization. The consequences of this involvement had far-reaching implications, both for the new African nations and the world stage.

Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961–1975 (New Cold War History)

by Natalia Telepneva(Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5229 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	304 pages

FREE

Cold War Liberation examines the African revolutionaries who led armed struggles in three Portuguese colonies—Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau—and their liaisons in Moscow, Prague, East Berlin, and Sofia. By reconstructing a multidimensional story that focuses on both the impact of the Soviet Union on the end of the Portuguese Empire in Africa and the effect of the anticolonial struggles on the Soviet Union, Natalia Telepneva bridges the gap between the narratives of individual anticolonial movements and those of superpower rivalry in sub-Saharan Africa during the Cold War.

Drawing on newly available archival sources from Russia and Eastern Europe and interviews with key participants, Telepneva emphasizes the agency of African liberation leaders who enlisted the superpower into their movements via their relationships with middle-ranking members of the Soviet bureaucracy. These administrators had considerable scope to shape policies in the Portuguese colonies which in turn increased the Soviet commitment to decolonization in the wider region. An innovative reinterpretation of the relationships forged between African revolutionaries and the countries of the Warsaw Pact, Cold War Liberation is a bold addition to debates about policy-making in the Global South during the Cold War.

We are proud to offer this book in our usual print and ebook formats, plus as an open-access edition available through the Sustainable History Monograph Project.