Beginning in 1482, Angola was occupied by the Portuguese when Diego Cão arrived in the Kingdom of Congo. The Portuguese brought with them firearms and other advanced technologies which the Africans had yet to encounter; in return the King of Congo gave ivory and slaves. This situation of Portuguese power dominating the indigenous tribes of Africa, as occurred in numerous African countries, continued for a few centuries. It was obvious that the Portuguese had higher status than the natives, but when the Portuguese Colonial Act was passed in 1933, stating that the Portuguese had supremacy over the natives, it spurred a revolution.

On this January 15^th, in 1975, Portuguese leaders met with revolutionary leaders to sign what became known as the Alvor Agreement. This agreement marked the independence from the Portuguese and establishment of a new government; however, it gave way to a civil war because two revolutionary groups, the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) and the Eastern Revolt did not take part in the deal and did not sign the Alvor Agreement.

The conflict began with civil disobedience in the 50’s but became all out war in 1961, when cotton workers refused to work, burnt their ID cards, and attacked Portuguese traders – all with the hope of attaining better wages and working conditions. What came from that was the death of 7,000 tribespeople allegedly killed from napalm. The war continued until 1975, claiming the lives of millions of people. After Angola gained its independence there were still many issues to be dealt with, and its economy took a massive hit, falling into recession.