Estado Novo & Carnation Revolution (1926–1974)

In 1910, a revolution overthrew the monarchy and proclaimed the republic. However, the young democracy was unstable — in 16 years, there were 45 governments and eight presidents. In 1926, the military staged a coup.

Salazar's Dictatorship (1932–1968)

António de Oliveira Salazar, an economics professor from Coimbra, became Prime Minister in 1932 and established the Estado Novo — an authoritarian, corporatist state modeled after fascism. Salazar ruled with an iron hand for 36 years: political opposition was pursued by the secret police PIDE, press freedom did not exist, and elections were a farce.

Portugal remained officially neutral during World War II but economically benefited from both sides. Lisbon became a hub for spies, refugees, and smugglers — an atmosphere that inspired films like "Casablanca." The Portuguese consul in Bordeaux, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, defied Salazar's orders in 1940 and saved over 30,000 people, including 10,000 Jews, by issuing visas.

While Western Europe prospered, Portugal stagnated under Salazar. The country was the poorest in Western Europe: the illiteracy rate was over 30%, infrastructure was backward, and millions of Portuguese emigrated — to France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Brazil. Even today, more Portuguese and their descendants live outside Portugal than in the country itself.

The Colonial War (1961–1974)

While other European powers gave up their colonies in the 1960s, Portugal clung to its colonial empire in Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau). The resulting Colonial War consumed up to 40% of the state budget and cost the lives of over 8,000 Portuguese soldiers. For an entire generation of young men, the war meant years of military service in Africa.

The Carnation Revolution (April 25, 1974)

On April 25, 1974, young officers of the Movimento das Forças Armadas (MFA), disillusioned by the senseless colonial war, staged a coup. The coup was almost bloodless — the signal to strike was the song "Grândola, Vila Morena" by José Afonso, played on the radio at 0:25. When the population took to the streets and placed red carnations in the soldiers' gun barrels, the dictatorship ended after 48 years.

April 25 is Portugal's most important holiday — the "Day of Freedom" (Dia da Liberdade). The carnation became a symbol of the peaceful revolution, and "Grândola, Vila Morena" is still sung at every commemoration. In Lisbon, the Museu do Aljube (in the former PIDE prison) impressively commemorates the dictatorship and resistance.