History of Angola can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Located on the Atlantic coast in West Africa Angola was originally inhabited by Khoisan hunter tribes who were driven away by Bantu people during Bantu Resettlement in Angola. But you will find a small Khoisan community still living in some parts of Southern Angola. As you go deeper into the History of Angola you will know that the country was first invaded by Portuguese in the late 15th century and it is the turning point of Angolan History.
Colonial History of Angola
In 1483 Portuguese founded their base on the banks of the River Congo in former Kongo State. By 1575 they expanded their colony to Cabinada and began slave trade, which was already practiced in Africa by many aboriginal tribes. Slave trade resulted in trafficking of black skinned Africans to Europe to serve their white skinned masters. Gradually the entire coastal strip came under the possession of Portugal during the 16th century. A series of wars and settlements finally formed the country of Angola. The present capital of the country, Luanda was primarily under the control of the Dutch from1641 to 1648. They took local people in their stride in order to strengthen their colonial rule and resist the Portuguese.
Portugal conquered Pungo Andongo in 1671 and it was the end of expansion of Portuguese colony in Angola. Lately in the 18th century Portuguese spread their territory beyond the colony of Benguela. Finally in 1951, the Portuguese colony was declared as an overseas province named Portuguese West Africa. Portugal had control over Angola for about 500 years. Their existence has deeply influenced the Culture in Angola. Hence common people’s initial response to call for freedom was mixed.
History after Independence
Angola Historical Facts reveal that Leftist military officers deposed the Caetano government in Portugal through the Carnation Revolution in 1974. The intermediary government negotiated with the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA, ending up in separate peace treaties with each of the organizations. Ultimately, the movements for emancipation turned to a mere fight for control over Luanda and getting international recognition. The leaders Agostinho Neto, Holden Roberto and Jonas Savimbi met in Bukavu, Zaire in July and decided to talk with the Portuguese Government as one political entity. In 1975 the Alvor Agreement was signed between Neto, Roberto, Savimbi and the Portuguese government on January 15 declaring November 11 as the date of emancipation.
Civil War in Angola
The final phase of the History of Angola is the period of civil war. The civil war lasting for 27 years has largely affected the country’s economy. More than 500,000 people died in Angolan Civil war in the 1990s. Jonas Savimbi's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) got the support of the USA and several other African nations including South Africa as he had his base in the Ovimbundu region of central Angola. Finally, the death of Jonas Savimbi in a conflict with government troops on February 22, 2002 resulted in ceasefire between the government and the opposition.
Online information on History of Angola is provided by travel.mapsofworld.
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