Carnation Revolution

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== Carnation Revolution ==

The Carnation Revolution (Portuguese: Revolução dos Cravos) was a military coup on April 25, 1974, in Portugal that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. The revolution began as a military coup organized by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA), composed of military officers who opposed the regime, but it quickly became a popular movement with widespread civil resistance.

Background

The Estado Novo regime, established by António de Oliveira Salazar in 1933, was a corporatist authoritarian regime that suppressed political freedoms and maintained a colonial empire in Africa. By the early 1970s, the regime faced growing opposition due to its repressive policies, economic stagnation, and the costly Portuguese Colonial War in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau.

The Coup

On April 25, 1974, the MFA initiated a coup d'état, which began with the broadcast of the song "E Depois do Adeus" by Paulo de Carvalho on the radio, signaling the start of the operation. The coup was largely bloodless, with minimal resistance from the regime's forces. The name "Carnation Revolution" comes from the fact that many of the revolutionaries and citizens placed carnations in the muzzles of their guns and on their uniforms as a symbol of peace.

Aftermath

The Carnation Revolution led to the fall of the Estado Novo regime and the establishment of a democratic government in Portugal. It also resulted in the rapid decolonization of Portuguese colonies in Africa, leading to the independence of Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. The revolution paved the way for significant social, economic, and political changes in Portugal, including the drafting of a new constitution in 1976.

Legacy

The Carnation Revolution is celebrated annually in Portugal on April 25th as Freedom Day. It is remembered as a peaceful and successful transition from dictatorship to democracy and has had a lasting impact on Portuguese society and politics.

Related Pages

• Estado Novo (Portugal)
• Portuguese Colonial War
• António de Oliveira Salazar
• Freedom Day (Portugal)
• Armed Forces Movement
• Portuguese Constitution of 1976

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