Blowback S6 Episode 3 - "The Stand"
Dec 29, 2025
Angolan anti-colonial rebels take center stage as they challenge Portuguese rule. Explore Cuba's significant role in supporting African revolutions. The rise of the MPLA and FNLA highlights competing nationalist interests. Tension escalates with Portugal's brutal reprisals and the international community's reactions. Discover the dynamics of U.S., Soviet, and Chinese involvement in the conflict. Plus, delve into South Africa's fears of a nationalist Angola. A thrilling journey through a critical period in African history.
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Cuba's Independent African Strategy
- Cuba linked anti-colonial solidarity with practical aid like doctors and modest military support to win influence in Africa.
- Castro's motives mixed revolutionary fervor and self-defense, not mere Soviet direction.
Year Of Africa Ignites Angola's War
- 1960's Year of Africa catalyzed Angolan nationalism and inspired violent uprisings against Portugal.
- The 1961 massacres and repression transformed sporadic resistance into a sustained liberation war.
1961 Massacre And Refugee Crisis
- January–February 1961 protest actions spiraled into violent uprisings and a settler-backed massacre of Angolans.
- The spontaneous revolt and violent settler reprisals killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands.