portugal's new revolutionary leaders began in 1974 a process of political change at home and accepted independence for its former colonies abroad. in angola a fight for dominance broke out immediately between the three nationalist movements. the events prompted a mass exodus of portuguese citizens, creating up to 300 000 destitute portuguese refugees—the "retornados". the new portuguese government tried to mediate an understanding between the three competing movements, which was initially agreed by the movements, but later disagreed. after it gained independence in november 1975, angola experienced a devastating civil war which lasted several decades. it claimed millions of lives and produced many refugees; it didn't end until 2002.