Final answer:
The Soviet Union could have gained ideological influence, economic benefits, and military dominance from supporting communist groups in Africa during the Cold War era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves understanding the potential advantages the Soviet Union sought from supporting communist groups in Africa. One of the advantages the Soviet Union could have gained from this support is ideological influence. By backing African nations emerging from colonial rule, the USSR aimed to expand the reach of Communism as a counter to Western capitalism, thereby ensuring new allies in a geopolitically strategic region. The Soviet Union also had ambitions for economic benefits, which could stem from access to the continent's vast natural resources and establishing economic ties that might benefit the Soviet economy. Lastly, the support for communist groups could reinforce military dominance by creating allied states that would align with Soviet strategic interests, possibly providing military bases or supporting Soviet positions in international forums.
The historical context shows that Soviet support in various regions was often based on a blend of ideological, economic, and military imperatives, and Africa was no exception. The legacy of these actions still echoes in the current political situations of many African states.