Strategies between U.S. and U.S.S.R., cold war?

Question

How did the strategies involving the U.S. and U.S.S.R. affect newly independent colonies in Africa and others during the Cold War? Three examples.

Answer 1

Both nations built as many alliances as possible. Both countries used military assistance, economic aid, propaganda (or education), and diplomacy to align other countries their way.
They both promoted their national ideologies with countries lined up as democratic or communistic. The cause of the U.S. was supported by government, business, and most of the major churches. The U.S.S.R. often used surrogate states (e.g. Cuba, East Germany, Vietnam) to further its intentions.
The newly independent nations of Africa had their own beliefs but were greatly influenced by the money and manpower that was often offered to them. The U.S.S.R. may have developed Angola as an ally but the U.S. was undoubtedly more successful in influencing the region.
The U.S. may have also had the advantage of a Black population while the U.S.S.R. suffered from an inability to deal with people of other racial heritage.