The revolution of 25 of April 1974 is a landmark in history of Portugal. It brought to an end not only the imperial cycle, that had started with the maritime expansion in the 15th Century, but also paved the way to the integration in a new, political entity - the EEC.
The overthrowing of the conservative dictatorship, called Estado Novo (New State) since 1933, by a vast movement of the Army Forces, emerges as an inevitable result of the exhaustion of the authoritarian regime and of the international isolation due to colonialism. It encourages a process of economic, social and cultural modernization, which had been delayed by social - political obstacles inherent to the regime. A double contradiction threatened the regime ruled by Caetano and Thomaz since 1968: a) a contradiction between the rigid, conservative institutional structure and the demands deriving from the industrial development, and b) the contradiction between the nationalist-colonialist authoritarian ideology and pluralist, anti-colonialist goal deriving from a new social and cultural dynamics that marked the 1960's. In such a context, the colonial war, seen as a damper, became a catalyse to the regime's overthrowing by the hand of the Armed Forces.
It was not easy, however, to establish a democratic regime in a country that had been victimised for almost 50 years by a dictatorship, and that had woken up to freedom manu militari, which had to deal with late decolonization, aggravated by the international economic crisis of 1973.
The colonialist blindness of the authoritarian regime prevented a soft transition, without radical revolutionary upheavals, towards a parliamentary democracy. It favored the emergence of the main opposition groups, namely communist and socialist - the only ones able to fulfil the political and ideological void, since the liberals were not able to unite and the right wing had to pay the price for its commitment to the authoritarian regime. A revolutionary mythology obviously emerged, based on the identification of fascism with capitalism and on the lack of any alternatives to a socialism with more or less respect for the democratic rules.
Inevitably, however, a collision within this mythology was due to happen between those to whom freedom was more important than socialism and those to whom socialism was more important than freedom. Portugal was experiencing indoors the great options the world had lived at the beginning of the century.
Marcelismo and the crisis of authoritarian regime
In September 1968, Marcello Caetano becomes the Prime Minister due to Salazar's, illness and incapacity. It thus begins a new stage in the regime's life which can be considered, due to some indications put forward and the attitude of the new Prime Minister towards Salazar, as one of liberalisation. This period lasts from Autumn 1968 until the elections of 1969, in October. The return from exile of the Bishop of Oporto and Mário Soares (November of 1968), amongst other evidence, show the possibility of this liberalisation. The "Declaration to the Nation" is presented by the socialist opposition at the end of 1968. (...)
From 1970, a noticeable predicament in the political evolution of the regime is apparent. A constitutional revision in 1971, as well as the new Press Law- that does not eliminate censorship-are facts that confirm this postponed liberalisation. The radicalisation of the opposition corresponds to this post70s period. Revolutionary armed groups start emerging. (...) On October 28, 1973, new elections for the National Assembly are held. The liberal wing does not survive the crystallisation of the regime in its authoritarian principles.
From the Summer of 1973 until April of the following year, the contradictions in the Armed Forces aggravate, with protests even among the high ranked officers. In February 1974 the book Portugal and the Future (Portugal e o Futuro), by General Spínola, is published. The colonial war was a public Issue. (...) Before the actual coup of April 25, a major government reshuffle (May 15) took place as well as an aborted military operation, when on the March 16, at dawn, troops of the 5th Infantry Regiment, based at Caldas da Rainha, made a frustrated attempt at marching towards Lisbon. Its purpose was to overthrow the government and to put an end to the regime.
The MFA and the fall of authoritarian regime
The MFA changed a corporate protest Into a global political issue in a short period of time due to Estado Novo's social crisis and its reflection on the Armed Forces.
The inability of the dictatorial regime to find apolitical solution to the colonial war is the main factor in the mobilisation of young officers. The military coup of Caldas da Rainha, on March 16, 1974, although neutralised by the regime, worked as a first rehearsal to April 25, which would overthrow the dictatorship. The plan, devised by Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho, included a huge number of military battalions.
After setting up the headquarters of the "rebel" forces in the lst Engineer Battalion, in Pontinha (a Lisbon suburb) and after broadcasts and songs E Depois do Adeus and Grândola, Vila Morena - both codes for the coup- the "rebels" quickly took hold of the strategic places: radio and TV stations, military headquarters and airport, in Lisbon. Then, help arrived from Santarém with Captain Salgueiro Maia and his troops. The efficiency of these operations caught the forces of the regime unprepared to respond.
The Prime Minister, Marcello Caetano, had fled to the headquarters of the GNR (National Republican Guard), the Carmo Barracks. After some attempts at negotiating the surrender, General Spínola enters the Carmo Barracks and obtains the capitulation from Caetano.
Victorious, General Spínola meets with the MFA (Armed Forces Movement) and they decide on a declaration to the nation on behalf of the JSN (National Salvation junta) to be read on the 26th. The last ones to surrender were the members of the PIDE/DGS (Portuguese Secret Police), who caused the only four casualties, and the Caxias and Peniche jails, where all the political prisoners were to be released the following day.
The sudden success of the revolution of April 25 clearly shows the crisis that affected the Estado Novo as well as the urge for a radical change of the regime.
The 1960's were marked by the intransigence of the Portuguese government in proceeding to the decolonisation of the African territories. This attitude is condemned by the main international organisations, namely the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). After April 25, 1974, the decolonisation would be one of the pressure points in the relations between the MFA and the JSN. At first, General Spínola in the proclamation of the ISN to the country, successfully imposes his federalist ideas of a multi-continental Portugal. This attitude rouses suspicion amongst the liberation movements and the international community and it would only be dissipated with the publication of the Constitutional Law no. 7/74, of 27th of July, which acknowledges the right of the population from the Portuguese colonies to self determination and independence, and also with the visit of Kurt Waldheim, the UN Secretary-General, to Portugal.
The MFA and the colonial war
Between the Summer of 1974 and March of 1975, the Portuguese government established contacts and celebrated agreements with the liberation movements that were legitimate representatives of different African peoples. (...) The process will come to and end on December 20, 1999, when Macao will stay, permanently, under Chinese administration.
So 30 years ago, my father, a journalist wake me up saying was staying at home that day! Joy for a 6 year old, no school. Indeed School began for the portuguese. From that day...maybe until today we are face we choice of a the modern world. The first years, cold war was in the backstage of the democratic process. Amercians afraid of losing the island azores and their militarie base in teh middle of atlantic undermine all they saw as a "comunist danger". On the other side, Russians, maybe interest in teh same island or maybe in havinga comunist country in the Nato europe were doing exactlie the same this as the americans. In teh end the revolution didnt succed. Portugal is today a democracie not as shoudl have been. My country as still not achive the objectives of 1974. We still have corruption, burocracie and teh country is rule by Big economic groups. The ex colonies are at war on i total economic crisis. So i believe we need another revolution. Not only my country maybe the all world... As i used to heard when i was a kid long live teh 25 of april long live our freedom! Peco desculpa pelo comentario em Ingles estou so a dar o lado de um puto de 36 anos! Boa Foto!
0 
{K:209486} 4/24/2004
