A VERY SHORT HISTORY OF THE CARNATION REVOLUTION

The Carnation Revolution, triggered in Portugal by the military coup of April 25, 1974, was one of the most unique and fascinating moments in contemporary European history. In just a few hours, a military movement initially driven by corporate concerns and in reaction to the colonial war ended up overthrowing the longest-lasting authoritarian regime in Western Europe in the 20th century and opened the way for an intense and complex process of democratic transition. Between the fall of the dictatorship and the consolidation of democracy, with the approval of a new Constitution in April 1976, only two years passed — a period that profoundly transformed Portugal and resonated internationally.

This book offers a rigorous and accessible overview of the Carnation Revolution, aimed at readers worldwide who, recognizing April 25 as the greatest symbol of freedom in Portugal, can now gain a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of events, its key figures, and its historical significance.