Timeline of Angola

Chronology

12 events spanning the history of Angola. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1483

   Portuguese arrive.

   Portuguese arrive.

2. 1575

   Portuguese found Luanda.

   Portuguese found Luanda.

3. 1580 – 1836

   Portuguese begin slave trade in Angola.

   Portuguese begin slave trade in Angola. Over a million slaves are shipped toBrazil between 1580 and 1680.

4. 1951

   Angola becomes a province.

   Angola’s status changes from colony to overseas province.

5. 1961

   Forced labor ends after riots on coffee plantations leave 50,000 dead.

   Forced labor abolished after revolts on coffee plantations leave 50,000 dead. The fight for independence is bolstered.

6. 1975

   Angola gains independence

   Angola gains independence but power struggle ensues between MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola ), backed by Cuba, and the FNLA plus Unita, backed by South Africa and the USA.

7. 1987

   South African forces enter Angola to support Unita.

   South African forces enter Angola to support Unita.

8. 1988

   South Africa, Angola, and Cuba sign an agreement.

   South Africa, Angola, and Cuba sign an agreement that says Cuba’s army will leave Angola by1991.

9. 1991

   MPLA drops Marxism-Leninism in favor of social democracy.

   MPLA drops Marxism-Leninism in favor of social democracy.

10. 1994

    The Government and UNITA sign the Lusaka Protocol peace accord.

    The Government and UNITA sign the Lusaka Protocol peace accord.