Portuguese Africa

By: Tom Blanton

1800’s

• During the height of European colonialism in the1800’s, Portugal had lost its territory in South America and most of its bases in Asia

• At this time, Portugal focused on expanding its outposts in Africa into nation-sized territories

• Portuguese territory included the modern nations of Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique.

1900’s

• In World War I, German troops threatened Mozambique, so Portugal entered the war in an attempt to protect its territories.

• In the beginning of World War II, decolonization movements began to gain support.

• The Cold War too created chaos among Portuguese overseas populations when the United States and Soviet Union attempted to increase their spheres of influence.