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Carnation Revolution

The Carnation Revolution was a military coup by left-leaning military officers that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo government on April 25, 1974, producing major social, economic, territorial, demographic, and political change in Portugal and its overseas colonies. It resulted in the Portuguese transition to democracy and the end of the Portuguese Colonial Wars.

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Carnation Revolution: Time for Change

The Carnation Revolution was a military coup by left-leaning military officers that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo government on April 25, 1974, producing major social, economic, territorial, demographic, and political change in Portugal and its overseas colonies.

Carnation Revolution: 19th Century Turmoil in Portugal

With invasions by Napoleon, Portugal began a decline that lasted until the early 20th century. It was hastened in 1822 by the independence of Brazil, the country's largest colony.

Carnation Revolution: First Republic

The 1910 Portuguese revolution overthrew the centuries-old Portuguese monarchy and replaced it with the First Portuguese Republic.

Carnation Revolution: Salazar's "Estado Novo"

The May 28, 1926 coup installed the Second Republic, which started as the "Ditadura Nacional" (National Dictatorship) and became the "Estado Novo" (New State) in 1933, led by economist António de Oliveira Salazar.

Carnation Revolution: Portugal's Secret Police

Portugal's secret police was first known from 1933-45 as “Policia de Vigilância e Defesa do Estado” (PVDE); from 1945-69 as “Policia Internacional e de Defesa do Estado” (PIDE); and lastly, from 1969-74 as “Direção Geral de Segurança” (DGS).

Carnation Revolution: The Coup

The Carnation Revolution was a military coup by left-leaning military officers that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo government on April 25, 1974

Carnation Revolution: The Songs that Launched a Coup

"The White Book on the Change of Government in Chile", edited by Augusto Pinochet detailed that country’s recent military coup, describing a military warning system that involved playing a string of pre-arranged songs through civilian radio stations.

Carnation Revolution: Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho

Mastermind of the coup that overthrew the Estado Novo

Carnation Revolution: Salgueiro Maia -- Face of the Coup

Salgueiro Maia was the face of the military coup, standing out for his pragmatic and firm action that day.

Carnation Revolution: António de Spínola

Spínola was the only person to whom Marcelo Caetano would surrender power.

Carnation Revolution: Vasco dos Santos Gonçalves

From coup strategist to Prime Minister, Vasco Gonçalves guided Portugal during the revolution.

Carnation Revolution: Decolonization

The Portuguese Colonial Wars was a 13-year conflict fought between Portugal's military and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal's African colonies between 1961 and 1974. The Carnation Revolution brought the conflict to an abrupt end.

Carnation Revolution: Post-Coup Portugal

The Carnation Revolution of 1974 marked a significant turning point in Portugal's history, leading to profound social and economic changes.


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