Angola: Struggle For Peace And Reconstruction (NATIONS OF THE MODERN WORLD: AFRICA)

In this accessible introduction, Inge Tvedten traces Angolas turbulent past, with a particular focus on the devastating impacts that five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule and over two decades of civil war have had on the Angolan people. He analyzes how Angolas resources were drained through slavery and exploitation, discusses the role Angola played as a staging ground in the Cold War, and investigates how attempts to democratize collapsed when the rebel movement UNITA took the country to war after electoral defeat. Tvedten concludes by looking at the prospects for this resource-rich country to build lasting peace and prosperity. After more than twenty years of devastating civil war, Angola is slowly moving toward peace and reconciliation. In this accessible introduction to one of the most resource-rich countries in Africa, Inge Tvedten traces Angolas turbulent past, with a particular focus on the impacts that political and economic upheaval have had on the Angolan people. First, Tvedten reviews five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, which drained Angolas resources through slavery and exploitation. He then turns to the postindependence period, in which the country became a Cold War staging ground and its attempts to democratize collapsed when the rebel movement UNITA, supported by the United States, took the country back to war after electoral defeat. Tvedten shows how the colonial legacy and decades of war turned Angola into one of the ten poorest in the world, despite considerable oil resources, huge hydroelectric potential, vast and fertile agricultural lands, and some of Africas most productive fishing waters. Finally, Tvedten argues that peace and prosperity for Angola are possible but constructive international support will be crucial. After More Than Twenty Years Of Devastating Civil War, Angola Is Slowly Moving Toward Peace And Reconciliation. In This Accessible Introduction To One Of The Most Resource-rich Countries In Africa, Inge Tvedten Traces Angola's Turbulent Past With A Particular Focus On The Impacts That Political And Economic Upheaval Have Had On The Angolan People. First, Tvedten Reviews Five Centuries Of Portuguese Colonial Rule, Which Drained Angola's Resources Through Slavery And Exploitation. He Then Turns To The Postindependence Period, In Which The Country Became A Cold War Staging Ground, And Its Attempts To Democratize Collapsed When The Rebel Movement Unita, Supported By The United States, Took The Country Back To War After Electoral Defeat. Tvedten Shows How The Colonial Legacy And Decades Of War Turned Angola Into One Of The Ten Poorest Countries In The World, Despite Considerable Oil Resources, Huge Hydroelectric Potential, Vast And Fertile Agricultural Lands, And Some Of Africa's Most Productive Fishing Waters. Finally, Tvedten Argues That Peace And Prosperity For Angola Are Possible But Constructive International Support Will Be Crucial. 1. Geographical Setting -- 2. Historical Background. Precolonial Angola -- Angola Under The Portuguese -- The War Of Independence -- 3. Political Ideology And Practice. War In Postindependence Angola -- The Centralized One-party State -- Toward Democracy And Political Pluralism -- Crisis Politics -- International Relations -- 4. Economic Potential And Performance. Economic Policy -- The Informal Economy -- Main Economic Sectors -- Trade And Aid -- 5. Socioeconomic Conditions And Cultural Traits. Population And Ethnolinguistic Groups -- Socioeconomic Conditions -- Education -- Health -- Civil Society And Cultural Institutions -- 6. Angola's Future. The Best Case Scenario -- The Worst Case Scenario -- The Middle Case Scenario. Inge Tvedten. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 145-152) And Index. After more than twenty years of devastating civil war, Angola is slowly moving toward peace and reconciliation. In this accessible introduction to one of the most resource-rich countries in Africa, Inge Tvedten traces Angola's turbulent past with a particular focus on the effects of political and economic upheaval on the Angolan people. First, Tvedten reviews five centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, which drained Angola's resources through slavery and exploitation. Next, he turns to the postindependence period, during which the country became a Cold War staging ground and its attempts to democratize collapsed when the rebel movement UNITA (until then supported by the United States) took the country back to war after electoral defeat. Tvedten shows how the colonial legacy and decades of war turned Angola into one of the ten poorest countries in the world in terms of socioeconomic indicators, despite its possessing considerable oil resources, huge hydroelectric potential, vast and fertile agricultural lands, and some of Africa's most productive fishing waters. Finally, Tvedten argues that peace and prosperity for Angola are possible, but constructive international support will be crucial to its achievement. Angola is situated in west-central Africa and lies between five and eighteen degrees south latitude and between twelve and twenty-four degrees longitude east of Greenwich (see Map 1.1).