Introduction

The last quarter of Portuguese colonial rule in Mozambique was a period marked by social and cultural tensions, reflecting deep economic and racial inequalities. The colonial policy, intensified by Salazar’s fascist regime, promoted the establishment of settlements that seized land from Mozambicans, exacerbating racial discrimination. This article aims to analyze the cultural and economic factors that contributed to the fall of Portuguese colonialism, highlighting systemic racial discrimination and its implications for social and economic relations.

Racial Discrimination and the Settlements

Racial discrimination was an intrinsic characteristic of the Portuguese colonial regime. The social structure was rigidly hierarchical, dividing the population into three categories: the Portuguese, the indigenous, and the assimilated. While Portuguese settlers enjoyed all rights, indigenous people were subjected to a regime of severe exploitation, and were treated as second-class citizens. The settlements, land expropriated from Mozambicans and allocated to white settlers, were emblematic of this discrimination. Settlers received land and subsidies from the government, while Mozambicans were forced to work on these lands under precarious conditions and without fair compensation. This led to lower wages, and the exclusion of natives from job and educational opportunities, according to the Labor Code of 1933.

Development Plans (Planos de Fomento) and Economic Exploitation

After World War II, Portugal implemented development plans aimed at modernizing its colonies and disguising exploitation. Investments were directed towards infrastructure construction, intending to facilitate resource extraction and product transportation to the metropolis. Development plans, such as the first plan (1953-1958), stood out for allocating resources for the construction of the railway from Lourenço Marques to Malvéria, promoting the immigration of settlers and increasing the white presence in Mozambique. These plans had a limited impact on local communities. Mozambicans continued to be marginalized and excluded from the benefits of these works, which were primarily designed for the benefit of settlers and the colonial administration. The living conditions of the indigenous population remained precarious, reflecting the continuity of exploitation.

The “Open Door Policy” and the Colonial Crisis

The reforms by Adriano Moreira between 1961 and 1962 marked a turning point in Mozambique’s colonial history, addressing the economic and political pressures faced by the Portuguese regime. These reforms included the abolition of forced labor in 1961, the end of mandatory agricultural practices for crops in the same year, and the elimination of the Estatuto do Indigenato in 1962, which had classified the majority of the indigenous population as second-class citizens. The abolition of these oppressive practices was driven by both internal discontent and external pressures, particularly the rising tide of independence movements across Africa. These legal changes, although aimed at modernizing the colonial system and appeasing international criticism, exposed the underlying weaknesses of the colonial economy and fueled nationalist movements seeking independence. The economic consequences of these reforms led to a crisis that forced Portugal to rethink its colonial economic strategies. 

Conclusion

The growing resistance of Mozambicans, fueled by the fight for rights and dignity, was crucial for the destabilization of the colonial regime. The fall of Portuguese colonialism was not merely a political issue, but a reflection of the deep cultural and social transformations underway, leading to the assertion of Mozambican identity and the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.

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