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.

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Apr 13th, 2:30 PM Apr 13th, 3:00 PM

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.