Beyond Lusophony: Canada's Toronto Committee for the Liberation of Portugal's African Colonies (TCLPAC) and the Anticolonial Struggle in Angola and Mozambique (1972-1975)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5965/2175180314352022e0108Abstract
The anti-colonial campaign against the Portuguese presence in Africa mobilized the international scene in different ways . In addition to the direct involvement of the liberation movements with the Cold War superpowers (whether in diplomacy or military support), the international public opinion remained attentive to the events in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau between 1961 and 1975. Moreover, particularly in Western countries, counterculture movements in broad-left wing tendence drew attention to a global awareness of the destructive relationship between racism, colonialism, and capitalism. These critical axes are articulated in creating several political committees supporting the struggle for freedom of Angolans, Mozambicans, and Guineans. This link goes beyond Portuguese-speaking borders, manifesting a highly significant transnational political agency. The foundation of the Toronto Committee for the Liberation of Portugal's African Colonies (TCLPAC), in 1972, fits into this general scenario. This article presents the history of this Canadian organization engaged in the struggle against Portuguese colonialism. It highlights the trajectory of one of its prominent founding members, and the peculiarities of the Canadian context at the time. It analyzes their actions, their internal (Canada) and external (Angola and Mozambique) political significance, and some results achieved until 1975. After the independence of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa, the organization expanded its objectives and changed its nomenclature – expanding even more their actions.
Keywords: Anticolonialism; Transnational History; Africa-Canada relationship.
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