Portugal

Abstract

The revolution of 1974 was a great milestone of political and social change with obvious consequences for the historical development of the education system in Portugal. Following the end of the nearly 50-year Salazar dictatorship (1968), the military overthrew the transition government under Marcello Caetano on 25 April 1974 and, having suffered heavy losses, ended the futile war in colonies in Africa in what became known as the carnation revolution. The national euphoria did not last long, however. The “three D’s” political program (democracia, descolonizacão, desenvolvimento), which promised democracy, decolonization, and development, covered over disputes within the armed forces movement (movimento das forças armadas – MFA). Some officers wanted a liberal democratic state, while others sought radical social transformations. Following six provisional governments, two presidents, right-wing and left-wing coups, three elections, social disquiet, and floods of Portuguese refugees escaping from ex-colonies at war, Portugal managed to establish democratic order and pass a new Constitution (1976).