1979: Southern Rhodesia Becomes Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: The white-controlled government, under Ian Smith, successfully held out against majority rule until 1976. At that point, the South Africans decided to withhold further military aid. The white government…

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1979: Somalia invaded Ethiopia

On August 8th, Somalia invaded Ethiopia, the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute over the Ogaden. The Somalis were initially successful in their attack, but the Soviets-- initially patrons of…

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1977: Zaire Turns Back Angolan Invasion

Angolan invasion: A small force of Angolans invaded the Shab province of Zaire. The Zairan forces proved ineffectual, so 1,500 Moroccan troops transported by the French and financed by the…

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1975: Angola Gains Independence

Angola declared its independence from Portugal. Two separate governments were proclaimed: the Soviet-backed Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for Total Independence of Angola…

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1975: Mozambique Gains Independence

A further consequence of the changes in government policy in Portugal was the granting of independence to Mozambique on June 25th. A Marxist state with Samora Moises Machel as President…

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