Angolan Wars

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The Angolan Wars (Portuguese: Guerras Angolanas) were a long series of conflicts in modern-day Angola involving Portugal, the Kingdom of Ndongo, the Kingdom of Kongo, the Kingdom of Matamba, the Kingdom of Kasanje, the Kingdom of Libolo and the Dutch West India Company primarily, that lasted from 1579 to 1683. Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luanda in 1576 and hostilities broke out three years later when the king of Ndongo had the Portuguese merchant community in his capital massacred. Conflict then gradually drew in every neighbouring power along with the Dutch West India Company. Though few in number, the Portuguese fielded heavier equipment but more importantly were able to mobilize large numbers of African auxiliaries, on whom the success of operations in the harsh African hinterland depended. Queen Nzinga distinguished herself by forging "the largest coalition of angolan states in the 17th century" against the Portuguese, who ultimately emerged as the main power in the region in spite of severe adversity. Hostilities primarily involved Portugal and Ndongo between 1579 and 1622. After negotiating a peace treaty on behalf of Ndongo, Queen Nzinga seized power and civil-war erupted between her and the rival claimant Hari a Kiluanje, who sought the support of Portugal. Nzinga in turn associated herself with the controversial Imbangala. The Dutch West India Company captured Benguela and Luanda in 1641, and entered into an alliance with Queen Nzinga and the Kongo, among others, against the Portuguese. After a period of isolation in the interior during which the Portuguese fought against Nzinga, the Dutch and Kongo surrounded and cut-off from the sea, Salvador Correia de Sá restored Angola to Portuguese rule in 1648. Queen Nzinga then signed a peace in 1656 and shifted to a policy of subordination to Portugal and support for Catholicism. The final 27-year period was...