Page "Economy of Angola" Paragraph 1

Kingdom of Portugal's explorers and settlers, founded trading posts and forts along the coast of Africa since the 15th century, and reached the Angolan coast in the 16th century.

Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luanda in 1575 as " São Paulo de Loanda ", and the region developed as a slave trade market with the help of local Imbangala and Mbundu peoples who were notable slave hunters.

Trade was mostly with the Portuguese colony of Brazil ; Brazilian ships were the most numerous in the ports of Luanda and Benguela.

By this time, Angola, a Portuguese colony, was in fact like a colony of Brazil, paradoxically another Portuguese colony.

A strong Brazilian influence was also exercised by the Jesuits in religion and education.

War gradually gave way to the philosophy of trade.

The great trade routes and the agreements that made them possible were the driving force for activities between the different areas ; warlike states become states ready to produce and to sell.

In the Planalto ( the high plains ), the most important states were those of Bié and Bailundo, the latter being noted for its production of foodstuffs and rubber.

The colonial power, Portugal, becoming ever richer and more powerful, would not tolerate the growth of these neighbouring states and subjugated them one by one, so that by the beginning of this century the Portuguese had complete control over the entire area.

During the period of the Iberian Union ( 1580 – 1640 ), Portugal lost influence and power and made new enemies.

The Dutch, a major enemy of Castile, invaded many Portuguese overseas possessions, including Luanda.

The Dutch ruled Luanda from 1640 to 1648 as Fort Aardenburgh.

They were seeking black slaves for use in sugarcane plantations of Northeastern Brazil ( Pernambuco, Olinda, Recife ) which they had also seized from Portugal.

John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, conquered the Portuguese possessions of Saint George del Mina, Saint Thomas, and Luanda, Angola, on the west coast of Africa.

After the dissolution of the Iberian Union in 1640, Portugal would reestablish its authority over the lost territories of the Portuguese Empire.