The District of Congo in northern Angola was, due to the post-war coffee boom, one of the regions under Portuguese colonial rule where a stable labour force was most urgently needed. Up until the 1950s, a good part of this labour force was not composed of voluntary workers. The unfavourable labour conditions led to the flight of (involuntary) labourers to the neighbouring territory of the Belgian Congo, making a clear case for labour reform. However, the contradictory attempts by a district governor and an inspector-general - both with liberal aspirations - show the limits of authoritarian colonial states with regard to colonial reform and liberalization. By 1961, these contradictions prompted the outbreak of the anti-colonial wars.

Forced labour Portugal Angola Esteves Felgas District of Congo (Angola) Contract labour Authoritarian rule Ferreira Martins Colonial reform

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