Angola: Colonialism, Liberation Movements, and Independence

Vocabulary flashcards detailing Angola's colonial struggle, key liberation movements (MPLA, FNLA, UNITA), leaders, and path to independence.

Angolan Civil War

A proxy war characterized by a conflict among three rival factions competing for power and control over natural resources.

1961 Uprisings in Luanda

Violent rebellions in which prisons and police stations were attacked, leading to white vigilante violence and Portuguese aerial bombings.

Portuguese Colonial Reforms (Post-1961)

Measures enacted following the 1961 rebellion, including the abolition of contract labour, state assumption of education, opening to Western investment, and encouragement of white immigration from Portugal.

MPLA

Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola; an anti-colonial movement founded in 1956 under Agostinho Neto, supported by Kimbundu and Mbundu peoples, supplied by the USSR, and controlling Cabinda oil wells.

Agostinho Neto

Leader of the MPLA from 1956 who became the first president of independent Angola in 1975.

Cabinda

An oil-rich territory whose oil wells were held and controlled by the MPLA during the conflict.

FNLA

National Front for the Liberation of Angola; an anti-colonial nationalist group led by Holden Roberto, drawing base support from the Bakongo people in the north-west and receiving backing from the CIA.

Holden Roberto

Leader of the FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola) backed by the CIA and supported by the Bakongo ethnic group.

UNITA

The National Union for Total Independence; an anti-communist liberation movement led by Jonas Savimbi, based among the Ovimbundu people of southern Angola, and backed by the USA and South Africa.

Jonas Savimbi

Leader of UNITA (The National Union for Total Independence) who rallied the Ovimbundu people against communist influence with support from the USA and South Africa.

Portuguese Guerrilla War Budget Expenditure

$40\%$ of Portugal's national budget spent on fighting colonial guerrilla conflicts prior to the military coup.

11 November 1975

The date Angola achieved official independence after a bloodless coup by Portuguese military officers ended colonial rule.