Worker's history Portuguese Revolution of 1974

 

The Carnation Revolution of 1974-75 in Portugal was a transformative event that dismantled a long-standing fascist regime and challenged the foundations of the capitalist system. Initially driven by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) and subsequently supported by a broad spectrum of workers, students, and ordinary citizens, the revolution brought profound political and social changes to Portugal. However, despite the initial radical momentum, the movement eventually settled into the safe confines of bourgeois democracy, thwarting the potential for a deeper socialist transformation. This article explores the historical context, the dynamics of the revolution, and the lessons it offers for contemporary struggles.

 

Historical Background: The Roots of the Revolution

The Portuguese fascist regime, established by António de Oliveira Salazar in 1933, was one of the longest-lasting dictatorships in Europe. For over four decades, the regime suppressed political dissent, banned trade unions, and maintained strict censorship. Salazar’s Estado Novo, or “New State,” was characterized by its authoritarian control, corporatist economic policies, and a colonial policy that drained the nation’s resources.

The economic base of Portugal remained underdeveloped compared to its European neighbors. By the 1960s, Portugal was engaged in costly colonial wars in Africa, fighting independence movements in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. These wars, which consumed nearly half of the national budget, were deeply unpopular and unsustainable, contributing to widespread discontent among both the civilian population and the military.

The regime’s failure to modernize the economy, coupled with increasing pressure from international institutions and domestic unrest, set the stage for a dramatic political shift. The dissatisfaction within the military, particularly among lower-ranking officers who saw no end to the bloody colonial conflicts, gave rise to the MFA—a clandestine organization that would soon catalyze the revolution.

 

The Carnation Revolution: A Sudden Eruption of Change

On the morning of April 25, 1974, tanks rolled into Lisbon under the command of young officers from the MFA. The revolution was swift and relatively peaceful, earning its name from the red carnations placed in the barrels of soldiers’ guns by jubilant citizens. The dictator Marcelo Caetano, Salazar’s successor, was deposed without bloodshed, and the streets of Lisbon were filled with hundreds of thousands of workers celebrating the downfall of the regime.

This was not merely a military coup but a popular uprising. Workers, students, and ordinary citizens seized the opportunity to push for broader social and political reforms. Factories, banks, and media outlets were occupied by workers, who set up committees to manage these institutions. In rural areas, peasants took over large estates, demanding agrarian reform. These actions were spontaneous expressions of a desire for radical change, reflecting deep-seated frustrations with decades of oppression and inequality.

 

The Role of the Armed Forces Movement and General Spinola

General António de Spínola, a high-ranking officer with a reputation for his brutal tactics in the African colonies, emerged as a key figure in the aftermath of the coup. Although initially presented as a hero of the revolution, Spínola’s vision for Portugal was far from revolutionary. He sought to establish a conservative regime that could stabilize the country while preserving the capitalist system.

Spínola’s strategy involved making limited concessions to the masses to prevent the movement from spiraling out of control. He attempted to channel the revolutionary energy into a program of “national salvation,” which included limited reforms but avoided any fundamental change to the economic structure of the country. This approach created tensions within the MFA and between the military and the rapidly mobilizing workers’ movement.

Despite his efforts to contain the revolution, Spínola was unable to fully control the situation. His attempts to moderate the revolution were met with resistance from both the left and the right, and by September 1974, he was forced to resign. The power vacuum that followed opened up new possibilities for the revolution but also increased the risk of reactionary backlash.

 

Workers’ Power and the Push for Socialism

Following Spínola’s resignation, the revolutionary process deepened. Workers took control of factories, banks, and other key sectors of the economy. Workers’ commissions and councils were established, operating as organs of direct democracy and self-management. These bodies challenged the authority of the provisional government, which struggled to maintain control.

The nationalization of industries and the banking sector, driven by the actions of militant workers, represented a significant shift in economic power. By early 1975, nearly three-quarters of the Portuguese economy was under state control. However, this nationalization was not accompanied by a clear program of workers’ control and management, limiting its transformative potential.

Despite these achievements, the revolutionary movement faced significant challenges. The absence of a cohesive revolutionary leadership capable of uniting the diverse forces of the working class and providing strategic direction was a major obstacle. The Communist Party (PCP) and the Socialist Party (PS), the two main leftist organizations, played contradictory roles. While they mobilized significant support, their leaderships were ultimately committed to a strategy of coalition and compromise with the bourgeoisie.

 

The Role of the Communist and Socialist Parties

The Communist Party, led by Álvaro Cunhal, was one of the strongest political forces in the early stages of the revolution. With deep roots in the working class and a history of resistance against the dictatorship, the PCP had the potential to lead the movement towards a socialist transformation. However, the party’s leadership was cautious and advocated for a strategy of broad alliances, including collaboration with conservative elements in the MFA.

Cunhal’s approach was shaped by the Soviet model of “people’s democracy,” which prioritized stability and gradual reform over revolutionary upheaval. The PCP’s focus on maintaining alliances with the military and avoiding confrontations with the bourgeoisie prevented it from fully embracing the revolutionary potential of the moment. The party’s reluctance to push for a decisive break with capitalism ultimately limited its ability to lead the movement.

The Socialist Party, led by Mário Soares, experienced rapid growth during the revolution. Soares positioned the PS as a defender of democratic rights and a counterbalance to the perceived authoritarianism of the PCP. His vision for Portugal was one of a mixed economy with social reforms, rather than a full socialist transformation. Despite his radical rhetoric, Soares was fundamentally committed to the restoration of bourgeois democracy.

Both the PCP and the PS ultimately played conservative roles in the revolution, steering it away from the path of workers’ power and towards the restoration of parliamentary democracy. Their decision to enter coalition governments with elements of the old regime undermined the revolutionary potential of the movement and facilitated the stabilization of capitalism in Portugal.

 

The Counter-Revolution and the Limits of Bourgeois Democracy

As the revolutionary fervor of 1974-75 began to wane, reactionary forces within Portugal and abroad moved to regain control. Western powers, particularly the United States and NATO, were deeply concerned about the possibility of a socialist revolution in Southern Europe. They provided support to moderate forces within the military and the political establishment to stabilize the situation and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideas.

The provisional government, now dominated by the PS and the more conservative elements of the MFA, began to roll back the gains made by workers and peasants. The reactionary forces launched a series of counter-coup attempts, the most significant of which occurred in March 1975, led by General Spínola himself. Although this attempt failed, it underscored the fragility of the revolutionary process.

The response of the workers to the coup attempt was swift and decisive. They occupied banks, factories, and other key sectors of the economy, demanding further nationalizations and the establishment of workers’ control. The provisional government, unable to suppress these actions without provoking a backlash, was forced to nationalize a significant portion of the economy. However, these nationalizations were not accompanied by the establishment of a genuine workers’ democracy, limiting their transformative potential.

 

The Fall of the Revolutionary Wave and the Restoration of Capitalism

Despite the radical actions of the workers, the revolution ultimately failed to establish a new political and economic order. The Communist and Socialist parties, rather than pushing for a workers’ government, sought to stabilize the situation through coalition governments that included elements of the old regime. This strategy created the conditions for the gradual reassertion of bourgeois control.

The revolutionary momentum began to dissipate as the leadership of the workers’ movement failed to articulate a clear strategy for the transition to socialism. The absence of a cohesive revolutionary party capable of providing leadership and direction allowed the bourgeoisie to regain control. By late 1975, the revolutionary wave had receded, and the provisional government moved to restore order.

The restoration of bourgeois democracy in Portugal did not mean the end of the gains made during the revolution. The nationalizations and social reforms enacted during this period had a lasting impact on Portuguese society. However, the failure to establish a workers’ government and the reassertion of capitalist control limited the transformative potential of these changes.

 

Lessons from the Portuguese Revolution

The Portuguese Revolution of 1974-75 is a powerful reminder of both the potential and the limitations of mass movements in the absence of a clear revolutionary strategy. The revolution demonstrated the capacity of the working class to challenge the existing order and to create new forms of democratic self-organization. However, it also highlighted the importance of leadership and the need for a revolutionary party capable of articulating a clear vision and strategy for socialism.

One of the key lessons of the Portuguese Revolution is the need to build a revolutionary organization that is both deeply rooted in the working class and capable of providing leadership in moments of crisis. Such an organization must be prepared to challenge not only the existing state but also the conservative tendencies within the workers’ movement itself. The experience of the PCP and the PS in Portugal shows that even parties with significant working-class support can act as obstacles to revolutionary change if their leadership is not committed to a clear socialist strategy.

 

The Legacy of the Carnation Revolution

The Portuguese Revolution of 1974-75 remains a testament to the power of mass movements and the potential for radical social change. It was a moment when the working class, the peasantry, and sections of the military came together to challenge a dictatorship and to push for a new society based on democracy and social justice. While the revolution did not ultimately lead to the establishment of socialism, it left a lasting legacy in Portugal and beyond.

Today, as we face new crises of capitalism and the resurgence of authoritarianism around the world, the lessons of the Portuguese Revolution are more relevant than ever. The need for revolutionary organization, the importance of mass mobilization, and the potential for working-class power are lessons that we must carry forward in our struggles for a better world.

The Carnation Revolution teaches us that history is not predetermined and that the future is shaped by the actions of ordinary people. It reminds us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, it is possible to challenge the status quo and to fight for a society that puts people before profit. It is up to us to build on this legacy and to continue the struggle for socialism in the 21st century.