The Good, The Bad, and The Lasting Legacy
When you visit Lisbon, it’s easy to be swept away by the beauty, food, and history. But behind the charm lies a darker chapter: the Estado Novo, or “New State,” led by António de Oliveira Salazar. His dictatorship ruled Portugal from 1933 to 1974, ending only with the peaceful Carnation Revolution.
To better understand modern Portugal, here are 10 key aspects of Salazar’s Dictatorship in Portugal, covering both positive achievements and serious consequences.
10 Key Aspects of Salazar’s Dictatorship in Portugal
1. Economic Stability and Fiscal Discipline
✅ Positive:
Salazar was an economics professor before becoming Finance Minister in 1928. He brought strict fiscal control, reduced national debt, and balanced the budget. This won praise from business leaders and helped stabilize the Portuguese escudo.
❌ Negative:
His rigid policies avoided investing in industry or public services. Portugal remained poor and underdeveloped compared to other European nations. Poverty and a lack of modern infrastructure held the country back.
2. Political Stability Through Authoritarian Rule
✅ Positive:
Before Salazar, Portugal was politically chaotic. His regime stopped military coups and created decades of political stability. Many citizens welcomed this order after years of unrest.
❌ Negative:
That stability came through repression. The secret police (PIDE) jailed, tortured, or exiled dissidents. Freedom of speech and democracy were replaced by censorship and fear.
3. Catholic Values and Nationalism
✅ Positive:
Salazar promoted Catholicism, patriotism, and family values. The motto “Deus, Pátria e Família” (God, Homeland, and Family) shaped the regime’s ideals. This united much of the rural population and gave the regime a strong cultural identity.
❌ Negative:
Gender equality and secularism were discouraged. Women were expected to be homemakers. Education avoided critical thinking and promoted obedience. Socially, Portugal fell behind.
4. Neutrality and Isolation in World Politics
✅ Positive:
During World War II, Portugal remained neutral, avoiding destruction. Lisbon became a center for diplomacy, trade, and espionage, even sheltering refugees.
❌ Negative:
After the war, Portugal stayed isolated. Salazar resisted joining the European Economic Community and refused the Marshall Plan, missing out on postwar recovery and modernization.
5. Colonial Empire and Decolonization Struggles
✅ Positive:
Portugal held onto large colonies in Africa (like Angola and Mozambique) and Asia (Macau, Timor). Salazar believed this empire maintained global status.
❌ Negative:
He refused to decolonize, leading to brutal wars in the 1960s and 70s. These wars drained the economy and cost thousands of lives. Portugal’s stubbornness increased its global isolation and helped bring down the regime.
6. Education Reform and Literacy Rates
✅ Positive:
The regime built more rural schools and increased basic literacy. Education was more accessible than before.
❌ Negative:
Critical thinking was discouraged. Schools taught religion and nationalism over science or innovation. Portugal ended up with one of the highest illiteracy rates in Western Europe by the 1970s.
7. Public Works and Infrastructure Projects
✅ Positive:
Salazar’s government built roads, dams, and bridges. The most famous is the Salazar Bridge (now 25 de Abril Bridge) in Lisbon, still an iconic structure.
❌ Negative:
These projects were modest compared to other European nations. Salazar avoided industrial development, leaving Portugal an agrarian economy in an industrializing world.
8. Human Rights Violations
❌ Negative:
The regime was brutal to its critics. Thousands were jailed without trial. Torture and forced labor were common. The PIDE was feared across the country.
✅ Positive (Debated):
Some argue that these controls prevented a communist uprising. But for many, this came at a devastating human cost. The emotional scars of this era still run deep.
9. Portugal’s Role in World War II
✅ Positive:
By staying neutral, Portugal avoided war damage and became a safe haven for Jewish refugees. Lisbon played a quiet but important role in wartime diplomacy.
❌ Negative:
Portugal traded tungsten with Nazi Germany while also helping the Allies. This balancing act raised ethical concerns, and some say the regime profited from the war.
10. The Carnation Revolution and the Fall of the Regime
✅ Positive:
The regime fell in 1974 during the Carnation Revolution — a peaceful uprising led by young army officers. It brought freedom, democracy, and decolonization. Today, this revolution is a national holiday and a symbol of hope.
❌ Negative:
By the time Salazar fell, Portugal was one of the poorest nations in Western Europe. Rebuilding took time, and the effects of dictatorship lingered in politics and society for decades.
How Salazar’s Legacy Shapes Modern Portugal
Even decades after the fall of the Estado Novo, traces of Salazar’s dictatorship can still be felt in Portuguese society:
Urban Architecture: Many government buildings, schools, and even bridges built during Salazar’s rule still stand today. Their design reflects the regime’s taste for order, simplicity, and national pride.
Social Attitudes: While Portugal is now a progressive democracy, some conservative social views, particularly around gender roles and religion, can be traced back to Salazar’s influence.
Generational Memory: Older generations who lived through the regime often have complex feelings—some remember stability, others fear. Younger generations learn about it in schools and through national remembrance days like April 25th, which honors the Carnation Revolution.
Media and Art: Films, books, and exhibitions in Lisbon often revisit this era. A great place to learn more is the Aljube Museum of Resistance and Freedom, housed in a former political prison. It offers powerful insights into the repression and resistance during Salazar’s time.
Final Thoughts: Why It Matters Today
Salazar’s Dictatorship in Portugal left a deep mark on the nation. Some remember it for economic control and order. Others recall repression, fear, and stagnation. When you explore Lisbon, you’ll see traces of this era in its architecture, holidays, and people’s stories.
Understanding this history gives visitors a deeper connection to modern Portugal — a country that has transformed itself while carrying the memories of its past.
Leave a Reply