Portuguese Socialist Republic

**Portuguese Socialist Republic** (Portuguese: Portuguesa Socialista República), commonly known as Portugal, is a socialist country located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Lisbon.

## **HISTORY**

After 1851, Portugal, as a constitutional monarchy, embarked on a period of strong economic and modernization efforts, including the construction of new ports, highways, and railways, along with substantial fiscal measures.

In 1908, King Dom Carlos I and his heir, Prince Luís Filipe, were assassinated by republican sympathizers in an event known as the "Regicide." This event left a significant mark on Portugal's history, marking the end of significant reform attempts within Portugal's monarchy. It resulted in increased violence and political turmoil in Portugal. Carlos's youngest son, Manuel II, ascended to the throne at the age of 18. However, due to his lack of preparation for rulership, he faced numerous challenges in governing and restoring domestic order.

In the aftermath, conditions for a revolution and the establishment of the Portuguese Republic were once again met. On October 2, 1910, the Portuguese Republican Party led a revolution with over 2,000 soldiers, which succeeded on October 5, leading to the declaration of a republic.

Within the span of just seven years, from 1910 to 1917, Portugal saw four different presidents and 19 prime ministers.

During World War I, despite its longstanding alliance with Britain, Portugal maintained a neutral stance.

Social unrest in Portugal was exacerbated by the economic crisis resulting from Europe's wars. In 1917, a military coup led by General Páis established a dictatorship, but Páis was assassinated in 1918, creating a power vacuum. In 1919, a monarchist uprising occurred, but it failed to gain support, ultimately leading to the victory of the republican government and its increasing popularity.

However, the republican government, plagued by internal divisions and unable to cope with the unprecedented economic instability, gradually lost support. The population grew disillusioned with parliamentary governance. During this period, both the military, considering reforms through military dictatorship, and the Portuguese Communist Party, influenced by anarchosyndicalism and supported by Germany, gained influence.

On May 28, 1926, General Gomes da Costa staged a military coup, leading to an internal conflict between the military, the republican government, and socialist forces. With support from Germany and Italy, the socialist forces emerged victorious, leading to the establishment of the Portuguese Socialist Republic in the same year.

The socialist republic, victorious in the civil war, contributed to Portugal's recovery through trade with socialist countries and economic policies. However, the military was weakened by purges, and internal divisions within the country and the influence of exiled anti-regime figures persisted, making the regime still somewhat unstable.

Amid this turbulent period of coups and civil war, Portugal was split between those who sought radicalization and those who aimed for a return to conservative rule or a monarchy, including integralist groups like "Integralismo Lusitano (Lusitanian Integralism)." Additionally, individuals like Salazar emerged, advocating for corporatism and authoritarianism to reshape the country.

Portugal faced two possible futures: one as a socialist republic seeking development through cooperation with other socialist nations, and the other with conservatives and corporatists staging a coup or restoring the monarchy. The Portuguese Socialist Republic had connections with Spain's left-wing extremists, potentially leading to the revival of the Iberian Union if they gained power in Spain. Meanwhile, Portugal's royalists had ties to Spain and the possibility of forming an alliance with them.