A Brief History of Portugal

Part  14 - Start of the Republics

GREETINGS TO YOU my stalwart historians.  We are about to enter the final phase of our mooch around 600 years of Portugal's history, taking us from 1386 up until her entry into the Common Market in 1985.  It would be very tedious going over the minute detail covering the period of the three republics; there were an incredible 45 changes in government during the period 1910 to 1926. However, we will try to pick up the bits that sound interesting, so here goes:

The First Republic: 1910-33

Although the Republican Revolution took place on 3^rd October 1910, it took until August of the following year before the first Republican Constitution was approved.  Teófilo Braga was installed as the provisional leader but the first elected President of the Republic, Manuel de Arriaga, took over the reins from 1911 to 1915.  As far as the general running of government was concerned, Afonso Costa's Democratic Party actually held the broadest parliamentary support and ruled until 1914.

As usual, of course, religion was soon on the agenda.  One of the first acts of the Democratic government in 1911 was to dissolve the Jesuits under the Law of Separation.  This law set out a dividing line between State and Church; as could be expected, the Papacy were a most unhappy bunch of chaps.

Of more significance to the general populace of Portugal was the 1914 First World War declaration. Although the Portuguese were not directly involved in the initial declaration, they had to decide who to back and came down on the side of the Allies.

However, it wasn't long before the military carried out the first of many interventions in government appointing General Sidónio Pais as President.  But in this period of `knock-about' politics, President Pais was assassinated in 1918.  This led to a chance for the monarchists to try to get back into power but, in ruthless efficiency, the military soon stamped out this uprising.

In 1921, after years of military rule, free elections were held and there was a comfortable majority for the Republican Party.  But, would you believe it, during October of that year, there was yet another military intervention which toppled the elected government.  Looking for those who had allowed the country to be in a financial crisis situation, the prime minister, António Granjo, along with several other ministers was assassinated.

Meanwhile, Portugal's financial crisis continued and so in 1928, in a move to get the economy working again, General Carmona asked António de Salazar, who had been the Professor of Political Economy at Coimbra University since 1918, to join the government as Minister of Finance.  Salazar was very successful in improving the tax system and other means of collecting revenue and was approached to form a government in 1932.  For the next forty-two years, the country was under the administration of just two men, António de Salazar from 1932-68 and Marcelo Caetano from 1968-74.

The Second Republic: 1933-74

Portugal's Second Republic, commonly known as the New State, was therefore put into place in 1933.  The new Republic promised strong government and an administration fair to all concerned. However, this period was dominated by a strict authoritarian state.  This resulted in severe repression, backed up by political police.  Any leaning towards Communism was also quickly stamped out and there was a blanket censorship of the Press.  But this tight control over everything enabled money to be accumulated, sufficient to build bridges over both the Douro and the Tagus rivers and undertake a major overhaul of the road system across Portugal.

As far as their dealings with the rest of the world, a policy of strict neutrality was observed.  However, 1936 saw Salazar support General Franco's military ambitions during the Spanish Civil War.  And, although not claiming the neutrality mantle during the Second World War, he was still supplying wolfram ore, used in the manufacture of explosives to Germany.  But Salazar did allow the Allies to secure bases in the Azores during the war.

Trying to defend her territories on three fronts, Portugal had no option but to undertake a large-scale mobilization of troops during 1964.  Many of those conscripted were taken from the ranks of students and teaching posts in schools and universities, which led to an immediate slowdown in the gaining of degrees and qualifications in all sorts of professions.

During 1968 Salazar stepped down through ill-health and his protégé Marcelo Caetano took over as Prime Minister.  His policies were much more liberal and his priorities were entered on economic growth with the country adopting an open policy with regard to foreign investment.

The Third Republic: 1975-85

Yet another military coup on 25 April 1975 effectively ended the Second Republic and heralded the start of the Third Republic.  There began a consultation period involving all political parties.  This enabled the government to put into place major social reforms, the ending of censorship and the re-privatisation of previously nationalised businesses.  Despite all these reforms, the country would have to endure many more conflicts and uprisings until Portugal signed the formal act of admission, on 1^st July 1985, into what was then known as the European Economic Community (or the EEC as the more common abbreviation).

Well, dear students, we have come to the end of the road as far as this project is concerned. I hope it has provided you with an insight into Portugal's colourful history. If it has, then why not continue your own investigation into certain aspects which you have found of particular interest.

In this respect, apart of course from the Internet, where you will be overwhelmed with information, I found Portugal; A Companion History by José Hermano Saraiva, an extremely useful book.  Set out in a clear, very easy to follow format, it was ideal to confirm certain facts gleaned from the Internet, purported to be true and accurate but sometimes way off the mark.

Now, before we say a tearful goodbye to each other, I have some exciting news for my fellow history buffs.  Following on from ABHOP, I have been asked to write short biographies of some of the famous men (and who knows, I will probably find some interesting ladies too) who have contributed to Portugal's colourful history. And so, it's not goodbye after all, but cheerio.

     David Devereux

     dfdev@btinternet.com

Why not now have a look at the Family Tree of Kings and Queens of Portugal?

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