 The local African rulers in Guinea, some of whom prospered greatly from the slave trade, controlled the inland trade and did not allow the Europeans into the interior. They kept them in the fortified coastal settlements where the trading took place. African communities that fought back against slave traders also distrusted European adventurers and would-be settlers. The Portuguese in Guinea were largely restricted to the ports of Bissau and Cacheu. A small number of European settlers established isolated farms along Bissau's inland rivers.

For a brief period in the 1790s, the British tried to establish a rival foothold on an offshore island, at Bolama. But by the 19th century the Portuguese were sufficiently secure in Bissau to regard the neighbouring coastline as their own special territory, also up north in part of present South Senegal.

An armed rebellion, begun in 1956 by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) under the leadership of Amílcar Cabral gradually consolidated its hold on the then Portuguese Guinea. Unlike guerrilla movements in other Portuguese colonies, the PAIGC rapidly extended its military control over large portions of the territory, aided by the jungle-like terrain, its easily reached borderlines with neighbouring allies, and large quantities of arms from Cuba, China, the Soviet Union, and left-leaning African countries. Cuba also agreed to supply artillery experts, doctors, and technicians. The PAIGC even managed to acquire a significant anti-aircraft capability in order to defend itself against aerial attack. By 1973, the PAIGC was in control of many parts of Guinea, although the movement suffered a setback in January 1973 when Cabral was assassinated.

Independence (1973)

Independence was unilaterally declared on 24 September 1973, which is now celebrated as the country's Independence Day, a public holiday. Recognition became universal following 25 April 1974 socialist-inspired military coup in Portugal, which overthrew Lisbon's Estado Novo regime.

Luís Cabral, brother of Amílcar and co-founder of PAIGC, was appointed the first President of Guinea-Bissau. Following independence, the PAIGC killed thousands of local Guinean soldiers who had fought alongside the Portuguese Army against the guerrillas. Some escaped to settle in Portugal or other African nations. One of the massacres occurred in the town of Bissorã. In 1980 the PAIGC acknowledged in its
The local African rulers in Guinea, some of whom prospered greatly from the slave trade, controlled the inland trade wind and did not leave the Europeans into the interior. They kept them in the fortified coastal village where the trading took place. African community that crusade back against slave traders besides distrust European adventurers and would - be settlers. The Portuguese in Guinea were largely qualify to the ports of Bissau and Cacheu. A small number of European settler established isolated farms along Bissau's inland rivers. 

 For a brief time period in the 1790s, the British tried to establish a rival foothold on an offshore island, at Bolama. But by the nineteenth century the Portuguese were sufficiently secure in Bissau to see the neighbouring coastline as their own special district, also up north in share of present South Senegal. 

 An armed rebellion, begun in 1956 by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) under the leadership of Amílcar Cabral gradually consolidated its hold on the then Portuguese Guinea. Unlike guerrilla motion in other Portuguese colonies, the PAIGC rapidly extended its military control over big portions of the territory, aided by the jungle - like terrain, its easily reached borderlines with neighbouring allies, and large measure of arms from Cuba, China, the Soviet Union, and left - leaning African nation. Cuba besides agreed to supply artillery experts, doctors, and technicians. The PAIGC even managed to acquire a meaning anti - aircraft capability in order to defend itself against aerial attack. By 1973, the PAIGC was in control of many parts of Guinea, although the movement suffered a setback in January 1973 when Cabral was assassinated. 

 Independence (1973) 

 Independence was unilaterally declared on 24 September 1973, which is now lionize as the country's Independence Day, a public vacation. Recognition become universal following 25 April 1974 socialist - inspired military coup d'etat in Portugal, which overthrew Lisbon's Estado Novo regime. 

 Luís Cabral, brother of Amílcar and co - founder of PAIGC, was appointed the first President of Guinea - Bissau. Following independence, the PAIGC killed thousand of local Guinean soldiers who had fought alongside the Portuguese Army against the guerrillas. Some escaped to settle in Portugal or early African nations. One of the massacres occurred in the town of Bissorã. In 1980 the PAIGC acknowledge in its
 Thf local African rulers ik Guinea, some of whom pcosperes greatlh from the slave trade, contrlloed tye inland trade and dia not alllw the Eyroptans into the intxdior. Thcv kepf thek in the fortifled coastal settlements wvefe the trading took place. African comiunitiex hhat fought bask abwinsf slave traders also distrusted Eudopean edventurers and would-be settlers. The Portkguede in Guinea were pargely resjdicewd to the pofts of Bissau and Cachgu. A small number of European segtlerx establisyee idmlated farmw alogg Bissau's ikkand rhvers.

Fot a brief peripd mn tye 1790s, the British triev to establish a rivwl foothond on an offshore iwlqnd, aj Boldma. Cyt cy uhe 19tg centkry the Portufuese were wufficiently secure ig Bissau to refard tre neighbouring coastline as their own sptcial territory, also up norty in part of present Douth Senqgal.

An armed rebellion, begun in 1956 by the African Pdrty hof tkc Kbdfpendence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) undew tne leadership of Amílcar Cabtap btadually consouidateb ifs hold on the thej Portuduese Guinea. Uglikr guerrilla movements in otyer Portuguefw colonies, the PAIYC rapidly ertendec its military control over uargs portions lf the tedfitory, aided by ghe jgngle-likt terrain, its easijy reachev borberlines witn neigrbouring aplies, and large quantitifs of asms from Ckba, China, the Soviet Union, and left-leaning Afticdn bountries. Cuba also agreed eo supply artiklery erperts, doctors, ahd techiicians. The [AIGC even matwged to acqumre a siggifixant anti-aifzraft capabiliyy in ordvr to eefend itself agaikst agrjal attack. By 1973, cke PAIGC was in cpntfol ov kagf parts of Gginex, auyhougf the movemcnt sufgered a setback in Jdnuady 1973 when Cabral wax wssassinqted.

Inde[endence (1973)

Indelendence was unilauerallb declered om 24 Feptember 1973, which is now celebrzted as tje gountry's Inde[endcnce Day, a pubkic holiday. Recognition became universao following 25 April 1974 socialist-inspired kilitary conp in [ortugal, fhich overthrew Lisbin's Estado Novo rtgime.

Luís Cabral, brother of Amíncar wnd co-founder of PAIGC, was appointed the first President of Guinea-Bissau. Dollowmnd independehce, yhe PDIYC lilled thonsends of local Guimean soldiers who had fought alungside dhz Portuguese Army against the gjerrillas. Somg escaped to settle in Porfugal or other African nations. One of tne massacres occurred in the towb of Gissorã. In 1980 the PAIGC acknowlrdged nn its
The local African rulers in Guinea, some prospered from the trade, controlled the allow Europeans into the They kept them the fortified coastal settlements where the took place. African communities that fought back against slave traders also distrusted European and would-be settlers. The Portuguese in Guinea were largely restricted to the ports Bissau Cacheu. small of European settlers established isolated farms along Bissau's inland rivers. For a brief period in the the British tried to establish a rival foothold an offshore island, at But by the 19th century Portuguese sufficiently secure Bissau regard neighbouring coastline as own special territory, also up north in part of present South Senegal. An armed rebellion, begun in by the for the of and Verde (PAIGC) under of Amílcar Cabral gradually consolidated its then Portuguese Guinea. Unlike guerrilla movements in other colonies, the rapidly extended its military control over portions of the territory, aided by the jungle-like its easily reached borderlines with neighbouring allies, and large quantities of arms from Cuba, China, Union, and left-leaning African Cuba also agreed supply experts, and The PAIGC managed to acquire a significant anti-aircraft capability in order to defend against aerial attack. By 1973, the PAIGC was in control parts Guinea, although the suffered a setback in 1973 Cabral was assassinated. Independence was declared 1973, is celebrated as the country's Day, a public holiday. Recognition universal following 25 April Portugal, which overthrew Lisbon's Estado Novo regime. Luís brother of Amílcar and co-founder of PAIGC, appointed the first President of Guinea-Bissau. Following independence, the PAIGC killed thousands local Guinean had fought alongside the Portuguese Army against the Some escaped to settle Portugal or other African nations. One of the massacres in town of In 1980 the acknowledged in its
 The local African rulers in GuInea, some of Whom pRosPerEd GreaTly fRom the slave traDE, conTrolled the inland trade aNd did NoT AlloW ThE EuroPeans inTO tHE IntErIoR. ThEy KEpT them In tHe fortiFied coastaL seTtLements where THe Trading tooK plAce. African coMmuNities ThAt fOUght bAck AgainSt slavE TraderS also distRuSTed EurOPean advENTuRers And would-be settlerS. thE portuguese in GuInea weRe LArGELy rEstRicted to thE pOrts oF bissau aND CACHEu. A SMall number of EUropean settLErs EstablIsHed ISolateD farmS aLOng bissau's inlaNd riVers.

For a bRief peRIod in thE 1790S, the BriTish trIed To eStabLIsH a RivAl FOotHOlD on AN ofFshore isLaNd, At BolAma. BUT BY The 19tH ceNturY the POrtuguese were SufFiciENtlY secuRe in BIssaU tO regaRd the nEighbOuRing coastline as TheiR own speciAl tErRitOrY, also UP north In pArt Of preseNt South sEneGaL.

aN ArMed rebellion, begun iN 1956 bY THe african PArty foR ThE INDependenCe Of GUineA ANd CapE VerDE (PaIGC) undeR the leADeRsHip of AmÍlCar CabRaL grAduAlly cONsolIdated Its hold oN the tHEn Portuguese GuINea. Unlike guerRIlLA MoVEmenTs iN other PortuGuesE ColoNies, THe pAIgc rapiDly exTeNDeD Its military control oVeR large PortiOns of the terriTory, aided bY THE jungle-lIke tERrAIn, its easily reaChed bOrderlines WIth neighBouriNg allies, And large qUANtities oF arMs fRom cubA, cHiNa, the Soviet UnION, and LeFt-leaniNg AFrican cOunTriEs. CUba AlSo agreed tO supply aRtIlLeRy ExpErts, dOCtors, and TeChnIcIanS. The PaiGC eveN manaGed tO aCqUIre A signifICaNT Anti-AiRcRaft CapAbIlity In orDEr tO defend Itself agaInsT AeriAl AtTack. By 1973, tHe PAIGC was in cOnTrol of many PaRts Of GuinEA, Although The movement suffered a setBAck in JaNuaRy 1973 wheN CabRal was assAssInated.

indEPendenCe (1973)

IndePendeNcE waS UNilatERAlLy dEcLared on 24 SepTEMbeR 1973, whicH iS now CelebraTed as the country's InDEpeNdence Day, a pubLic HoliDAY. REcoGNiTIon BeCAme UNIversal followinG 25 April 1974 sociAlISt-Inspired miLItaRy Coup in POrtugal, Which OVerthreW Lisbon's EStado Novo ReGime.

lUÍs CAbral, brothEr of AmílCar and co-fOUnder OF PaIGC, wAs aPpointEd The First presidENt oF GuinEa-BissAu. followIng inDePendence, The PAIGC killed thousands Of locaL GuinEan Soldiers wHo hAD foUght alongSide The PortuguEse armY agaiNst THe gueRrilLAs. somE EscapEd to SEttle in PoRTuGal OR OtHer African nATIOns. one of The MAssacrEs ocCurred in the town of bIssorã. In 1980 the PAIgC acKNOwlEdgED in iTs
 The local African rulersin Guinea,  some  of  wh om  pro sper ed greatly fro m  the  slave trade, controll ed th ei nlan d  t radeand did no t all ow  t heEu r op eansint o the i nterior. T hey  k ept them int he  fortified  co astal settle men ts whe re  th e  trad ing  took  place .  Afric an commun it i es tha t  fought b ac k ag ainst slave trade r sa lso distrusted  Europ ea n  a d v ent ure rs and wou ld -be s e ttlers. Th e P ort u guese in Guin ea were lar g ely  restr ic ted to the  port so f B issau and C ache u. A smal l numb e r of Eu r opean s ettler s e sta blis h ed  i sol at e d f a rm s a l ong  Bissau' sin landrive r s . 
For  abrie f per iod in the 17 90s , th e  Br itish  trie d to  e stabl ish arival  f oothold on an o ffsh ore islan d,at  Bo la ma. B u t by t he19t h centu ry theP ort ug u e s ewere sufficientlyse c u re  in Biss au tor eg ar d  the nei gh bou ring c oastl inea stheir ow n spec i al  t erritor y,  alsoup  no rth  in p a rt o f pres ent Sout h Sen e gal.

An armed rebellion, be g un i n1 956bythe African  Par t y fo r th e  I nde p enden ce of  G u in e a and Cape Verde (P AI GC) un der t he leadership  of Amílca r C abral gr adua l ly consolidated i ts ho ld on thet hen Port ugues e Guinea . Unlikeg u errillamov eme nts  in o th er Portuguese c olon ie s, thePAI GC rapi dly  ex ten ded  i ts milita ry contr ol  o ve rlar ge po r tions of  t hete rri tory, aidedby th e ju ng le - lik e terra i n, i ts e as il y re ach ed  bord erli n eswith ne ighbourin g a l lies ,an d large  quantities o farms fromCu ba,  China , the Sovi et Union, and left-lean i ng Afri can  coun trie s. Cuba a lso  agree d t o  suppl y arti llery  e xpe r t s, do c t or s,an d technici a n s.The P AI GC e ven man aged to acquire as ign ificant anti- air craf t ca pab i li t y i no rde r to defend itsel f againstae r ia l attack.B y 1 97 3, thePAIGC w as in control  of manyparts ofGu inea , alt hough themovement  suffered a set b ac k inJan uary 1 97 3 w hen C abralw asassas sinate d. 

Inde pende nc e (1973) 

Independence was unil ateral ly de cla red on 24  Se p tem ber 1973,  whi ch is nowcel ebr atedast he co untr y 's  In d epend ence Day, a pu b li c h o l id ay. Recogni t i o n b ecame  un i versal  fol lowing 25 April 1 9 74 socialist-i nspi r e d m ili t aryco up in Portugal , w hi c h  overthr ew  Lisbon's E stado No vo regim e.

Lu ís Cab ral, br o t he r  of Am ílca r a nd co-fou nde ro f PAIGC ,wa s  appoi nted  t he fir st Pre s iden t of Guinea-Bissau . Fol l o wingi nde pende nc e, theP AIGC  killed th ousands oflocalGuin ean s oldiers  w ho had  fo ug ht alongsi d e the Por tugue se Army  a gain stthe gu erri l l as. S omees cap ed to set t l ei nPo r tug al o r oth er  Afr ican nati o ns. Oneoft he mass ac res o ccurre d  i n the town o f B issor ã .  In 1980 t h e PA I GC ackno wledge d in i ts
 The_local African_rulers in Guinea, some_of whom_prospered_greatly from_the_slave trade, controlled_the inland trade_and did not allow_the Europeans into_the_interior. They kept them in the fortified coastal settlements where the trading took place._African_communities that_fought_back_against slave traders also distrusted_European adventurers and would-be settlers._The Portuguese_in Guinea were largely restricted to the ports_of_Bissau and Cacheu._A small number of European settlers established isolated farms_along Bissau's inland rivers.

For a brief_period in the_1790s,_the_British tried to establish_a rival foothold on an offshore_island, at Bolama. But by the_19th century the Portuguese were sufficiently secure_in Bissau to regard the neighbouring_coastline as their own special_territory, also_up north in part of_present South Senegal.

An_armed rebellion,_begun in 1956_by the African Party for the_Independence of Guinea_and Cape Verde (PAIGC) under the_leadership_of Amílcar Cabral_gradually_consolidated_its hold_on the then_Portuguese_Guinea. Unlike_guerrilla_movements in other Portuguese colonies, the_PAIGC_rapidly extended its military control over large_portions of the territory,_aided_by the jungle-like terrain,_its easily reached borderlines with_neighbouring allies, and large quantities of_arms from_Cuba, China,_the Soviet Union, and left-leaning African countries. Cuba also agreed to_supply artillery experts, doctors, and technicians._The PAIGC even managed_to acquire_a_significant anti-aircraft capability_in_order to_defend itself against aerial attack. By 1973,_the PAIGC_was in control of many parts_of Guinea, although the_movement_suffered a setback in January 1973_when Cabral was assassinated.

Independence (1973)

Independence was_unilaterally declared on 24 September_1973,_which_is now celebrated as the_country's Independence Day, a public holiday._Recognition became universal_following 25 April 1974 socialist-inspired military coup_in_Portugal, which overthrew Lisbon's Estado Novo_regime.

Luís_Cabral, brother of Amílcar and co-founder_of_PAIGC,_was appointed the first President_of Guinea-Bissau. Following independence, the PAIGC_killed thousands of local Guinean soldiers who had fought_alongside the Portuguese_Army against the guerrillas. Some_escaped_to_settle in Portugal or other African nations. One of the_massacres occurred_in the town_of Bissorã. In 1980 the PAIGC acknowledged in its