The Portuguese Colonial War (1961-1974) was a conflict in which Portugal fought to maintain its colonial territories in Africa, primarily in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. The war arose as nationalist movements sought independence from Portuguese rule, leading to armed resistance and guerrilla warfare against Portuguese forces. The conflict was marked by significant violence and human rights abuses on both sides. It contributed to widespread international criticism of Portugal's colonial policies and ultimately led to the Carnation Revolution in 1974, which resulted in the end of the dictatorship in Portugal and the decolonization of its African territories.