Test: Decolonization & After - 3 - UPSC MCQ

The correct answer is Option D: External interference during the Cold War. After gaining independence, Angola was engulfed in a civil war mainly due to the involvement of different external powers during the Cold War. The United States backed the FNLA, while Cuba supported the MPLA. South Africa also supported different groups. This external interference intensified the conflict and made it more difficult to achieve peace in Angola.

The correct answer is Option C: South Africa's occupation of Namibia. Namibia, which lies between Angola and South Africa, was under South African control and occupied illegally. The South African government delayed granting independence to Namibia, which angered the African nations and further complicated the situation in Angola. The MPLA government allowed SWAPO, a Namibian liberation movement, to have bases in southern Angola, which intensified South Africa's hostility towards the MPLA.

The correct answer is Option D: 1994. The civil war in Angola finally came to an end in 1994 when a ceasefire was negotiated, and a peace agreement was reached between the MPLA government and UNITA. This agreement was monitored by the UN, and UNITA accepted the results of the 1992 elections. The death of Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA, in 2002 further contributed to the prospects of peace and reconstruction in Angola.

The correct answer is Option A: Allegations of fraud. UNITA, the main opposition party in Angola, refused to accept the election results in 1992, claiming that there had been fraud. This was despite the presence of 400 UN observers who reported that the elections had been "generally free and fair." UNITA's refusal to accept defeat led to the resumption of the civil war and further bloodshed in Angola.

The correct answer is Option C: High inflation and poverty. The civil war in Angola had devastating consequences for the country. It resulted in high inflation, with inflation rates reaching as high as 240 percent. The war was also ruinously expensive, leading to economic instability and widespread poverty. The majority of the population lived in poverty, and thousands were on the verge of starvation. The conflict also had a significant impact on the healthcare and education systems, hindering their development.

The correct answer is Option A: Fear of communism. The introduction of apartheid in South Africa was primarily driven by the fear of communism. The Nationalist Party, led by Dr Malan, believed that white supremacy was necessary to protect South Africa from the spread of communism in Africa. They viewed non-white races, especially black Africans, as inferior and believed in the preservation of white domination. The Dutch Reformed Church supported this view, using religious justifications to promote racial segregation.

The correct answer is Option C: Promotion of racial equality. The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa was founded in 1912 with the aim of promoting racial equality and fighting against racial discrimination and apartheid. It sought to achieve political and social rights for all South Africans, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The ANC played a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid and eventually led to the establishment of a democratic and non-racial South Africa.

The correct answer is Option D: Recognition of the need for change. P. W. Botha, the prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984, realized that apartheid was unsustainable and needed to be reformed. He acknowledged the growing pressure from both domestic and international sources for change. Botha understood that South Africa needed to adapt to avoid further conflict and upheaval. While his reforms fell short of meeting the demands of racial equality, they represented an acknowledgement of the need for some concessions to address the grievances of the black population.

The correct answer is Option B: It sparked a violent uprising against the government. The Sharpeville massacre, which occurred in 1960, was a turning point in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. During a peaceful protest against the pass laws, the police opened fire on a crowd of black Africans, killing 67 people and wounding many more. This brutal act of violence shocked the nation and led to widespread protests and an escalation of the anti-apartheid movement. It marked a shift towards more militant forms of resistance and increased international condemnation of the apartheid regime.

The correct answer is Option A: South Africa was expelled from the Commonwealth. In response to the apartheid regime in South Africa, the Commonwealth took a strong stance by imposing economic sanctions and condemning the racial discrimination. However, the expulsion of South Africa from the Commonwealth was the most significant action taken. In 1961, when South Africa became a republic, it had to reapply for membership to the Commonwealth. The other Commonwealth members, except for Britain, rejected South Africa's application, leading to its expulsion from the organization. This was a significant diplomatic blow to the apartheid government and further isolated South Africa on the international stage.