Considering that the Ultimatum was the most abrasive diplomatic incident in the history of Portuguese-British relations, denouncing the reformulation by both parties of the expansionist strategy in the south of the African continent, the author became interested in investigating the reaction of this incident in Angola as well as its real impact on the various social strata, both African and European. The analysis of talks given by authorities, colonists and "native children" on the true essence of colonial domination and also on the limits of Portuguese colonization led to detecting not only basic divergences but also converging opinions regarding the future of the territory. Even if the Ultimatum did not in fact turn out to be decisive although a political fact, the year 1890 was to be a symbol in the emergence of the proto-nationalist formulations in Angola.
British Ultimatum; colonial borders; "native children"; autonomy; Angolan press