History of Sao Tome
Up until the end of the 18th century the Portuguese used slave labor to grow sugar on the islands and became Africa's largest exporter of sugar. In the early 19th century sugar was replaced by cacao (chocolate0 and coffee plantations, also referred to as rocas. All of these rocas were owned by Portuguese enterprises and by 1908 Sao Tome had become the world's largest chocolate producer.
In the Carnation Revolution of 1974 the Portuguese dictator Marcello Caetano was overthrown, symbolizing the beginning of an independent Sao Tome e Principe. Portugal was then committed to dissolve the overseas colonies it has established on the islands. An agreement was then negotiated between Portugal and the MLSTP (Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe) party. This agreement worked out the transfer of sovereignty to the country. On July 12, 1975 Sao Tome e Principe officially declared their independence.
The Discovery
In the 15th century two Portuguese explorers, João de Santarém and Pêro Escobar, discovered the island of Sao Tome. One year after the discovery of Sao Tome they discovered Principe, an island approximately 100 miles from Sao Tome.
The Portuguese Reign
The Fight for Independence
Who they are now