The Good, The Bad, and The Lasting Legacy
When visiting Lisbon, it’s easy to be swept away by its beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history. However, one chapter of Portuguese history that continues to shape the nation is the nearly 40-year dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar. This regime, known as the “Estado Novo” (New State), lasted from 1933 until the 1974 “Carnation Revolution”. While many aspects of Salazar’s rule remain controversial, understanding the era can provide valuable insights into modern Portugal. Here are 10 Key Aspects of Salazar’s Dictatorship in Portugal, highlighting both its positive and negative elements.
10 Key Aspects of Salazar’s Dictatorship in Portugal
1. Economic Stability and Fiscal Discipline
Positive Aspect:
Salazar, initially an economics professor, was appointed as the Minister of Finance in 1928, when Portugal was facing severe financial instability. He imposed strict fiscal discipline, balanced the budget, and reduced Portugal’s national debt, which had been crippling the country for decades. His financial policies earned him respect from the business class and foreign investors, particularly in stabilizing the Portuguese currency.
Negative Aspect:
While the economy stabilized under Salazar’s rule, this fiscal restraint came at a cost. The regime’s refusal to invest heavily in industrialization or social services left Portugal lagging behind its European neighbors. High levels of poverty persisted, and the lack of modern infrastructure hampered long-term growth.
2. Social Order and Political Stability
Positive Aspect:
Before Salazar, Portugal was plagued by political instability, coups, and constant changes in government. Salazar’s “Estado Novo” promised order and stability, something many Portuguese citizens desired after years of chaos. His authoritarian grip brought an end to the frequent military uprisings and gave Portugal a sense of continuity during turbulent times in Europe.
Negative Aspect:
This “stability” was enforced through repression and fear. Salazar’s secret police, known as the PIDE (Polícia Internacional e de Defesa do Estado), monitored and silenced political dissidents. Arbitrary arrests, censorship of the press, and suppression of free speech became standard. The stability that Salazar offered came at the price of personal freedom and democratic rights.
3. Catholic Values and Nationalism
Positive Aspect:
Salazar, a devout Catholic, infused his regime with strong Catholic values. The “Estado Novo” promoted traditional family structures, morality, and a sense of national unity under the slogan “Deus, Pátria, e Família” (God, Homeland, and Family). For many Portuguese, especially in rural areas, these values resonated deeply and created a sense of shared national identity.
Negative Aspect:
The emphasis on Catholicism meant that Portugal became socially conservative and resistant to modern ideas regarding gender equality, individual rights, and secularism. Women were expected to adhere to traditional roles as homemakers, and educational reforms promoting critical thinking were stifled. Any deviation from the regime’s moral code was harshly punished, which limited intellectual freedom.
4. Isolationism and Resistance to European Integration
Positive Aspect:
Salazar’s foreign policy was one of strict neutrality, particularly during World War II. He managed to keep Portugal out of the conflict, maintaining the country’s territorial integrity and avoiding the destruction that befell much of Europe. This neutrality allowed Lisbon to become a hub for wartime diplomacy, espionage, and trade.
Negative Aspect:
However, Salazar’s rigid stance against international alliances and his fear of communism led to Portugal’s isolation in the post-war years. While Western Europe moved towards cooperation and integration through organizations like the European Economic Community (EEC), Portugal remained insular. The country missed out on the Marshall Plan and the early economic boom that benefited much of Europe.
5. Colonial Empire and Decolonization Struggles
Positive Aspect:
Under Salazar, Portugal maintained its vast colonial empire, which included territories in Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau), Asia (Goa, Macau, Timor), and even Brazil in earlier times. He believed these colonies were vital to Portugal’s status as a world power, and many Portuguese took pride in this imperial legacy.
Negative Aspect:
Salazar’s stubborn refusal to decolonize became a major point of contention by the 1960s. As anti-colonial movements gained momentum globally, Portugal faced increasingly violent wars in its African territories. These protracted conflicts drained the economy, led to widespread loss of life, and isolated Portugal on the world stage. The cost of maintaining the colonies became unbearable, and many historians argue that this was a key factor leading to the regime’s downfall in 1974.
6. Education Reform and Literacy Rates
Positive Aspect:
Salazar recognized the importance of education, and his regime did make some efforts to improve literacy rates, particularly in rural areas. Basic education became more widely available, and primary school attendance increased during his rule.
Negative Aspect:
Despite these improvements, the regime’s education system was deeply flawed. The curriculum was heavily influenced by Catholic doctrine and nationalist propaganda. Higher education remained limited to the elite, and critical thinking was discouraged. By the end of Salazar’s regime, Portugal still had one of the highest illiteracy rates in Western Europe.
7. Public Works and Infrastructure Projects
Positive Aspect:
Salazar’s government did invest in some infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and dams. This contributed to the development of key sectors like agriculture and transportation. Notable projects included the building of the Salazar Bridge (now known as the 25 de Abril Bridge) over the Tagus River in Lisbon, which remains one of the city’s iconic landmarks.
Negative Aspect:
While these infrastructure projects were important, they were relatively limited in scope compared to the rapid modernization happening elsewhere in Europe. Salazar’s reluctance to engage in widespread industrialization meant that Portugal remained a predominantly agrarian economy, which struggled to compete on a global scale.
8. Human Rights Violations and Political Repression
Negative Aspect:
One of the darkest aspects of Salazar’s rule was the systematic repression of political dissent. The PIDE, along with forced labor camps, were used to silence opposition. Thousands of political prisoners were detained without trial, tortured, or exiled. Freedom of the press was nonexistent, with newspapers and other media heavily censored.
Positive Aspect:
Some supporters of the regime argue that the authoritarian measures were necessary to prevent communist influence and to maintain social order. However, the long-lasting trauma of these repressive policies is still felt by many in Portugal today.
9. Portugal’s Role in World War II
Positive Aspect:
Salazar’s skillful diplomacy during World War II kept Portugal neutral, sparing the country from the devastation that hit much of Europe. Portugal’s neutrality also allowed Lisbon to become a haven for refugees, particularly Jews fleeing the Holocaust, making it an important center of diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
Negative Aspect:
Salazar’s regime maintained cordial relations with both Axis and Allied powers during the war, trading tungsten with Nazi Germany while allowing the Allies to use the Azores as a strategic base. Some critics argue that Salazar’s government profited from its ambiguous position, raising moral questions about its role during the conflict.
10. The Carnation Revolution and the Fall of the Regime
Positive Aspect:
Salazar’s regime eventually fell in 1974 during the peaceful Carnation Revolution, which ended almost five decades of authoritarian rule in Portugal. The revolution paved the way for the establishment of democracy, decolonization, and a more modern, progressive society. Today, the Carnation Revolution is celebrated as a national holiday, symbolizing Portugal’s triumph over dictatorship.
Negative Aspect:
By the time of the revolution, Portugal was one of the poorest and least developed countries in Western Europe, largely due to Salazar’s isolationist policies and refusal to modernize. The legacy of his dictatorship left deep scars in the nation’s political and social fabric, making the transition to democracy and development slow and difficult.
Conclusion:
The Salazar regime was a complex chapter in Portuguese history, with both positive and negative aspects. While some credit him with bringing stability and economic discipline to a troubled nation, others see his rule as a time of repression, stagnation, and missed opportunities. As you explore Lisbon, take a moment to reflect on this era, as its impact is still felt in the city and across the country today. Whether through the architecture, the national holidays, or the political discourse, the legacy of Salazar’s dictatorship continues to shape modern Portugal in profound ways.
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