Final answer:
The US involved themselves in the Congo and Angola during the Cold War era due to concerns about communism, access to natural resources, and countering Soviet influence in Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The US involved themselves in the Congo and Angola during the Cold War era for several reasons. Firstly, they were concerned about the spread of communism and feared that popular leftist leaders in these newly independent countries might gain control and align with the Soviet Union. Secondly, both Angola and the Congo had rich natural resources, and the US wanted to maintain access to these resources. Thirdly, the US supported anti-communist forces in these countries as a way to counter Soviet influence in Africa.