Increased Portuguese expansion in Angola coincides with…

Increased Portuguese expansion in Angola coincides with the abolition of the slave trade.

Expansion had begun in 1838 with the conquest and establishment of a fort at Duque de Braganca (renamed Calandula), in an area east of Luanda.

By mid-century the Portuguese have extended their formal control still farther east to the Kasanje market near the Cuango River.

In 1840 the Portuguese had founded the town of Mocamedes (present-day Namibe) on the coast south of Benguela.

The Portuguese also attempt to gain control of the coast from Luanda north to Cabinda through military occupation of the major ports.

Because of British opposition, however, they are unable to complete this attempt and will never gain control of the mouth of the Congo River.