Event Title
Cuban Involvement in Angola and Ethiopia during the late 20th century
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
History
Mentor Information
David Stark, starkd@gvsu.edu
Department
History
Location
Kirkhof Center 2216
Start Date
13-4-2011 2:30 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 3:00 PM
Keywords
Historical Perspectives
Abstract
Cuba's military intervention in Angola (1975) and Ethiopia (1977) has commonly been interpreted as evidence that Cuba was acting as a proxy to the Soviet Union, the "proxy-theory." These interpretations supporting the proxy theory are driven by lingering Cold War fears, as well as an East vs. West mentality. These ideologies and fears have marginalized the Cuban and Soviet perspectives in Angola and Ethiopia. By re-examining the Cuban and Soviet perspectives, political agendas, and actions in relation to the United States in Angola and Ethiopia the proxy theory can be rejected. Central to rejecting the proxy theory is understanding Cuba's revolutionary past, which lead Fidel Castro and all of Cuba to share a strong sense of commitment to the Third World's struggle against imperialism and colonialism. Cuba's commitment to the Third World's struggle and humanitarian aide in Angola and Ethiopia demonstrate Cuba's independent foreign policies and thus rejects the proxy theory.
Cuban Involvement in Angola and Ethiopia during the late 20th century
Kirkhof Center 2216
Cuba's military intervention in Angola (1975) and Ethiopia (1977) has commonly been interpreted as evidence that Cuba was acting as a proxy to the Soviet Union, the "proxy-theory." These interpretations supporting the proxy theory are driven by lingering Cold War fears, as well as an East vs. West mentality. These ideologies and fears have marginalized the Cuban and Soviet perspectives in Angola and Ethiopia. By re-examining the Cuban and Soviet perspectives, political agendas, and actions in relation to the United States in Angola and Ethiopia the proxy theory can be rejected. Central to rejecting the proxy theory is understanding Cuba's revolutionary past, which lead Fidel Castro and all of Cuba to share a strong sense of commitment to the Third World's struggle against imperialism and colonialism. Cuba's commitment to the Third World's struggle and humanitarian aide in Angola and Ethiopia demonstrate Cuba's independent foreign policies and thus rejects the proxy theory.