The MPLA was formed in 1956 to spear head the struggle for Angolans independence. It was initially an urban based political party.

It at first used peaceful methods e.g in 1960 it sent a petition to Lisbon asking for reforms.

It organised protests demanding for the release of Neto and other MPLA leaders in 1960. These peace protests broke out in many places e.g at Catete and Luanda.

After the military reaction of the Portuguese to the peaceful demands, MPLA resorted to violence.

It politicized the masses about the need to end the oppressive and exploitative Portuguese rule in Angola.

It recruited people and gave them military training.

It founded training bases and opened up headquarters in Kinshasa, Eastern Angola - etc.

It made attacks on Luanda prison and obtained some guns for carrying on the struggle.

It was non-racial and non-tribal. It invited and trained blacks, Mesticos and whites who joined it against the Portuguese.

It looked for external help especially from Marxist countries.

It used the hit and run surprise attacks which weakened the Portuguese will to continue ruling Angola.

It won the support of the OAU which by 1970 had started giving it aid.

It later on fought against UNITA and FNLA which were trying to divide the Angolans.

However, it failed to set up internal fighting bases in Angola early enough.

It also failed to unite with the other fighting groups (FNLA and UNITA). It wanted to win independence on its own.

It also failed to set up liberated zones within Angola.