Key Events in Portuguese History
21. Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in Portugal 1793 – 1813
Portugal entered into the wars of the French Revolution in 1793, signing agreements with England and Spain, who aimed to restore the monarchy in France, In 1795 Spain agreed peace with France, leaving Portugal stuck between its neighbour and its agreement with Britain; Portugal tried to pursue friendly neutrality. There were attempts to coerce Portugal by Spain and France, before they invaded in 1807. The government fled to Brazil, and war began between Anglo-Portuguese forces and the French in a conflict known as the Peninsular War. Victory for Portugal and the expulsion of the French came in 1813.More »
22. Revolution of 1820 – 23
An underground organisation set up in 1818 called Sinédrio attracted the support of some of Portugal’s military. In 1820 they enacted a coup d’état against the government and assembled a “Constitutional Cortes” to create a more modern constitution, with the king sub-ordinate to parliament. In 1821 the Cortes summoned the king back from Brazil, and he came, but a similar call to his son was refused, and the man instead became emperor of an independent Brazil.
23. War of the Brothers / Miguelite Wars 1828 - 34
In 1826 the King of Portugal died and his heir, the Emperor of Brazil, refused the crown so as not to slight Brazil. Instead he submitted a new Constitutional Charter and abdicated in favour of his underage daughter, Dona Maria. She was to marry her uncle, Prince Miguel, who would act as regent. The charter was opposed by some as too liberal, and when Miguel returned from exile he declared himself absolute monarch. Civil War between supporters of Miguel and Dona Maria followed, with Pedro abdicating as emperor to come over and act as regent to his daughter; their side won in 1834, and Miquel was banned from Portugal.
24. Cabralismo and Civil War 1844 – 1847
In 1836 – 38 the September Revolution had led to a new constitution, one somewhere between the 1822 Constitution and Charter of 1828. By 1844 there was public pressure to return to the more monarchist Charter, and the Minister of Justice, Cabral, announced its restoration. The next few years were dominated by the changes Cabral wrought – fiscal, legal, administrative and educational – in an era known as the Cabralismo. However, the minister made enemies and he was forced into exile. The next lead minister suffered a coup, and ten months of civil war followed between supporters of the 1822 and 1828 administrations. Britain and France intervened and peace was created in the Convention of Gramido in 1847.
25. The First Republic Declared 1910
By the end of the nineteenth century Portugal had a growing republican movement. Attempts by the king to counter it failed, and on February 2nd 1908 he and his heir were assassinated. King Manuel II then came to the throne, but a succession of governments failed to calm events. On October 3rd 1910 the republican revolt occurred, as part of the Lisbon garrison and armed citizens rebelled. When the navy joined them Manuel abdicated and left for England. A republican constitution was approved in 1911.
26. Military Dictatorship 1926 – 33
After unrest at internal and world affairs produced a military coup in 1917, the assassination of the head of government, and more unstable republican rule, there was a feeling, not uncommon in Europe, that only a dictator could calm things. The full military coup took place in 1926; between then and 1933 Generals headed up the governments.
27. Salazar’s New State 1933 – 74
In 1928 the ruling generals invited a Professor of Political Economy called António Salazar to join the government and solve a financial crisis. He was promoted to Prime Minister in 1933, whereupon he introduced a new constitution: the ‘New State’. The new regime, the Second Republic, was authoritarian, anti-parliament, anti-communist and nationalistic. Salazar ruled from 1933 – 68, when illness forced him to retire, and Caetano from 68 – 74. There was censorship, repression, and colonial wars, but industrial growth and public works still earn some supporters. Portugal remained neutral in World War 2.
28. The Third Republic Born 1976 – 78
Growing upset in the military (and society) at Portugal’s colonial struggles led to a disgruntled military organisation called the Armed Forces movement causing a bloodless coup on April 25 1794. The following president, General Spínola, then saw a power struggle between the AFM, communists and left wing groups which led him to resign. Elections were held, contested by new political parties, and the Third Republic Constitution was drawn up, aiming to balance president and parliament. Democracy returned, and independence was granted to African colonies.
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