Portuguese Governments And Frelimo example essay topic

Mozambique- a beautiful stretch of land off the Southeast coast of Africa. It is specifically located at latitude 40'27'S to 26'52'S, and longitude from 30'31 E to 40'51'E. It's east coast shores are some of the most tranquilizing while the west coast is bordered by South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Tanzania coming from south to north. Mozambique is famous for the Zambesi River and its contribution to the power supply of central Africa. Today the capital of Mozambique is Maputo. The whole country is a largely tropical area that is susceptible to both drought and flooding.

Mozambique is so vast that it must be broken up into three regions; the North the Zambesi river basin, and the south. The Zambesi River cuts Mozambique in half and is the heart of the land. The numerous other rivers are important to the economy and it's livelihood as well. It is because of the rivers and the fertility of the soil, that 80% of the population are in agriculture.

The countryside is also densely forested and has been exploited for local building material. This country has everything from high mountains, to low rivers, to beautiful beaches. It is truly underdeveloped and has yet to reveal it's most mysterious secrets. The earliest settlers in Mozambique were Muslim traders dating all the way back to the eighth century.

Hence, the linguistic diversity is as vast as the land. Three widespread languages; Magna-Lom we, Tsonga, and Shona are known throughout the land, while each region or subculture may speak a different tongue. For instance, at the Northern tip of Mozambique, the peoples speak Swahili. A Bantu language that originated from the co-mingling of Arabic and African peoples. The peoples of Mozambique are many. Ten separate cultures are nationally recognized, but each culture has many subcultures that were the results of the biological and cultural mixing of several populations.

As the ethnicity is diverse, so is the religious connotation. Tribal religious practices account for 70% or more of the ethnic groups north of the Save river. In places, people are associated with the Christian and Muslim faiths' and there is also evidence of Baptist and Protestant groups. It will be a struggle for these indigene cultures to keep their unity alive during the Portuguese invasion, but their victory will be worth the strife. The Portuguese came to Mozambique in the late fiftieth century. Their justification for this imperialist action was the notion that they were civilizing a backward people.

In 1498 Vasco Da Gama was the first Portuguese man to land on the shores of Mozambique and by 1507, the {Portuguese had occupied Ilha de Mocambique. Three short years later they had control of every major port from Sofa la to Mogadishu. Their main intention was to open up a new passage to the Indies, so to break the Muslim monopoly of the spice trade, and gain access to the African gold fields. The Portuguese were successful in most of their expansion attempts, with a little trouble surfacing because of the competition of the Muslims in the interior. In the end they were able to extend their sphere of influence across the Indian Ocean and beyond. With all of their success, it is surprising to see the sharp decline of Portuguese interest in Mozambique as early as 1700.

However, it wasn't the future interest, but the actions of the Prazeros that was the concern. The Prazeros were leaseholders of the semi feudal system of land tenure that pertained in Portugal. In return for the grant, the Prazeros were expected to provide for the defense of the land, to clear roads and provide carriers for government expeditions. The Prazeros recruited Prazos, who were like Portuguese allies, but were really Africans who wanted support during harsh times. The Portuguese government intended to use the Prazos to extend it's influence into the interior of Mozambique without having to expend it's own resources. The set up of this system led to the expansion of the slave trade.

In 1790 40% of all slaves brought to the Rio de la plata were under pra zero rule. By 1820, they had their teeth sunk in to 10% of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The slave trade had become Mozambique's most important commodity. Portugal wanted to settle in Mozambique because of their lustrous desire for the spice trade.

They also enjoyed the profits that came from ivory, gold and slaves. They could have conquered the indigene peoples, but by not colonizing enough people, they were unable to retain control. The will of the indigene's peoples would prevail despite the abuse and exploitation experienced. The development of three major companies designed to develop land and natural resources, as well as deal with the radical Prazos, resulted in the horrific accounts of rape and murder.

After years of opposition to Portuguese control the Africans found the strength to unite. They would no longer succumb to the irrational and immoral Portuguese rule. The beginning of the fight for freedom started with the uniting of several refugee political organizations. In 1960, MANU was formed in east Africa to join TANK and KANU and in 1962 these three groups united to form FRELIMO (Front for the liberation of Mozambique). The President was a very popular southern Maozambiquen known as Eduardo Do Chivambu Mond lane. The first armed guerilla attack on the Portuguese was in September of 1964.

They would prove to be successful throughout, despite the various dissensions amongst internals of FRELIMO, as well as the problems with the northern indigene's helping the Portuguese. FRELIMO got most of its support from African sources and also indulged in the generosity of the United States. The second phase of the war revolved around the famous C ahora Bassa project. This project involves the completion of a giant hydroelectric plant on the Zambesi river in the Tete District. It is also an asset that the Portuguese wanted to capitalize on. FRELIMO recognized the dam as a symbol of Portuguese determination to stay in Mozambique, and subsequently focused their efforts to slow construction and stop European immigration.

In 1972 they had controlled the areas outside of the dam so to divert attention and focus from it and at the same time they began to realize how important this project could be to their future independence. In the final stages of the war, FRELIMO was persevering and continuing to grow stronger in the Tete. The interconnection of Southern Rhodesia and especially Malawi by the rail systems resulted in an ally that would give FRELIMO the support it needed to finish the war. The connection of Malawi to Mozambique by the rail system freed Malawi from dependence on Portuguese transportation and now they could turn their support to FRELIMO. They provided an extra transportation route as well as a much-needed sanctuary.

Major causes of Portuguese disintegration were their widespread distribution, lack of population density, and consistent attacks on the Vila Per District. When the Portuguese-Africans were removed hastily from their villages and corralled to as a result of their intimidated leaders, they began to change their opinions of FRELIMO. No sooner talks between the Portuguese governments and FRELIMO would result in the accepting of all the latter's demands. As of June 25, 1975, Mozambique would be known as the People's Republic of Mozambique.

Now, the difficulty would be in creating a new Nation. Upon receiving independence, the leaders were flushed with issues concerning illiteracy, poverty, racial and ethnic problems, as well as the issue of liberating this third world country. It's two main goals after the war were the forging of national unity and the mobilization of forces. In the mean time, FRELIMO had decided on taking steps in the direction of a socialist society. In the decade following independence, Mozambique experienced success and struggle. Forced cultivation, forced labor, and racial discrimination were not in effect, if that can really happen, but that is what was at least professed.

It seems that the people were freed, but then left with nothing and nothing to work with. The plan of attack dealing with the agriculture aspect effected the control of much needed markets. Due to unsuccessful attempts concerning economic policies led to massive social dislocation and economic collapse. In efforts to meet everyone's needs, FRELIMO gave up total reign of the political process.

Today, Mozambique faces many problems including those health and disease related. Some poor choices concerning the closure of transportation routes with Southern Rhodesia were made under FRELIMO. This specific act resulted in a $200 million in lost transit revenues. Obviously the situation is less than hoped for.

It is's o sad to see a country that is plagued by colonialism and in it is efforts for independence it gets left with less than it had before. Hopefully it will find the strength to pull itself out of the water. As for it's future, it is up to the new generations to educate themselves and advance their economic and technological resources.