The Portuguese Revolution of 1974. Were Colonial Wars the biggest factor?

This paper assesses the different viewpoints on what caused the Carnation Revolution in 1974. Palmowski argues that it was the economic backwardness of the country which caused discontent among the working and middle-classes. Christopher Reed, on the other hand, argues that the brutal methods of torture and appalling treatment of prisoners and suspected criminals by the secret police - International and State Defence Police (PIDE) is to blame. This view is supported by historians such a Thomas C. Bruneau and Steven C. Boraz who argue that in a truly democratic society, the tensions arising from intelligence can never be resolved.

Another alternative view which suggests that the growing international tensions in the context of the 1960’s and 1970’s may have contributed to the overthrow of Marcello Caetano on the 25th April 1974. The cold war showed no sign of slowing down and both the western and eastern countries were attempting to expand their spheres of influence. Portugal, due to its isolationist stance that it had taken since Antonio Salazar had taken full control of the country in 1932, was a victim to its sphere of influence being hindered by both the Soviets and the U.S.A. For the historian R. H Chilcote, however, it is clear that the overall factor that had the biggest impact on causing the Carnation revolution of 1974 was the Colonial wars in the overseas provinces of Portugal, the first of which started in Angola in February 1963 with Maria’s war.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Assess the viewpoint that the Colonial Wars were the most important reason for the start of the Carnation Revolution in 1974
• The Colonial Wars did not have the biggest impact in causing the Carnation Revolution of 1974
• Social issues within Portugal
• Authoritarianism was not the biggest cause of the Carnation Revolution in 1974
• Eastern and Western influences played a large role in the roots of the revolution

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the perspective that the Colonial Wars were the most significant contributing factor to the Carnation Revolution of 1974 in Portugal. It aims to analyze the relative importance of the Colonial Wars compared to other potential causes, such as economic backwardness, authoritarianism, and international influences.

• The role of colonial wars in sparking discontent within the Portuguese military
• The impact of economic and social issues on the Portuguese population
• The influence of authoritarian rule and state repression on the revolution
• The impact of international tensions and Cold War dynamics on Portugal
• The interplay of various factors in the emergence of the Carnation Revolution

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The essay begins by presenting the perspective that the Colonial Wars were the primary cause of the Carnation Revolution, citing arguments made by historians like R. H. Chilcote.
• The next section explores alternative explanations for the revolution, focusing on the negative economic and social conditions in Portugal under Salazar’s regime. This section highlights the economic backwardness of the country, the high illiteracy rate, and the impact of the 1973-74 economic crisis.
• The essay then examines the role of authoritarianism in Portugal, emphasizing the repressive actions of the PIDE secret police and the impact of Salazar's Estado Novo regime on the Portuguese population.
• Finally, the essay considers the influence of international tensions and Cold War dynamics on the revolution, highlighting Portugal's relationship with Western powers and the growing influence of communist nations in the region.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The essay focuses on the Carnation Revolution, the Colonial Wars, Portugal, economic backwardness, authoritarianism, the Estado Novo, PIDE, Cold War, international influences, and the relative importance of various contributing factors to the revolution.

Details

• College: University of Worcester
• Grade: A*
• Author: Jack Griffiths (Author)
• Publication Year: 2019
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V500518
• ISBN (eBook): 9783346028518
• ISBN (Book): 9783346028525
• Language: English
• Tags: Portugal