JOURNAL ARTICLE

Soldiers of Fortune: In the 1970s, American mercenaries traveled to Angola and Rhodesia, seized by racist, anti-communist dreams and delusions of grandeur.

  • Published In: Jacobin Magazine, 2024, n. 55. P. 141 1 of 3

  • Database: Sociology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Burke, Kyle 3 of 3

Abstract

In the 1970s, American mercenaries, mostly Vietnam veterans, traveled to Angola and Rhodesia to fight against communism, believing the US government was too weak to counter it. They sought to reclaim power they felt they had lost at home and were part of a larger international anti-communist mobilization. While some found success, many struggled with the harsh realities of guerrilla warfare, with desertion rates high and few making a meaningful impact on the conflicts. Their experiences in Africa influenced a growing right-wing paramilitary movement in the US, with some individuals enacting violent fantasies inspired by their time abroad. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Jacobin Magazine. 2024/10, Issue 55, p141
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:2470-6930
  • Accession Number:182430925
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