History of Portugal

The Third Republic

The Carnation Revolution of 1974, an effectively bloodless left-wing military coup, installed the Third Republic. Broad democratic reforms were implemented. In 1975, Portugal granted independence to its Overseas Provinces (Províncias Ultramarinas in Portuguese) in Africa (Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe). In that same year, Indonesia invaded and annexed the Portuguese province of Portuguese Timor (East Timor) in Asia before independence could be granted. The Asian dependency of Macao, after an agreement in 1986, was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. Portugal applied international pressure to secure East Timor's independence from Indonesia, as East Timor was still legally a Portuguese dependency, and recognized as such by the United Nations. After a referendum in 1999, East Timor voted for independence and Portugal recognized its independence in 2002.

Related Topics:
Carnation Revolution - 1975 - ''Overseas Provinces'' - Portuguese - Africa - Mozambique - Angola - Guinea-Bissau - Cape Verde - São Tomé and Príncipe - Indonesia - Portuguese Timor - Asia - 1986 - Chinese - 1999 - United Nations - 2002

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With the 1975–76 independence of its colonies (except Macao, because it hadn't any independence movement), the 560 year old Portuguese Empire had already effectively ended. With it, 15 years of war effort also came to an end. Also many Portuguese returned from the colonies, coming to comprise a sizeable sector of the population and starting an economic recovery, thus opening new paths for the country's future just as others closed. In 1986, Portugal entered the European Economic Community.

Related Topics:
1975 - 76 - Portuguese Empire - Portuguese - 1986 - European Economic Community

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