Estado Novo (Portugal)

Quick Facts: Who was Estado Novo (Portugal)?

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Estado Novo (Portugal)

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Authoritarian, corporatist Portuguese state (1933-1974) under Salazar.

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Origins & Early Life

The Estado Novo (European Portuguese pronunciation: [(ɨ)ʃˈtaðu ˈnovu], lit. 'New State') was the corporatist Portuguese state installed in 1933. It evolved from the Ditadura Nacional ("National Dictatorship") formed after the coup d'état of 28 May 1926 against the unstable First Republic. Together, the Ditadura Nacional and the Estado Novo are recognised by historians as the Second Portuguese Republic (Portuguese: Segunda República Portuguesa). The Estado Novo, greatly inspired by conservative and autocratic ideologies, was developed by António de Oliveira Salazar, who was President of the Council of Ministers from 1932 until illness forced him out of office in 1968.

Career & Major Achievements

Opposed to communism, socialism, syndicalism, anarchism, liberalism and anti-colonialism, the regime was conservative, corporatist, and nationalist in nature. Its policy envisaged the perpetuation of Portugal as a pluricontinental nation under the doctrine of lusotropicalism, with Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese territories as extensions of Portugal itself, it being a supposed source of civilisation and stability to the overseas societies in the African and Asian possessions. Under the Estado Novo, Portugal tried to perpetuate a vast, centuries-old empire with a total area of 2,168,071 square kilometres (837,097 mi2), while other former colonial powers had, by this time, largely acceded to global calls for self-determination and independence of their overseas colonies. Under the Estado Novo, Portugal pursued economic policies aligned with those of the Western Bloc. The first steps toward economic integration began in 1948 when Portugal joined the Marshall Plan, and subsequently became a founding member of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1960, Portugal joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which allowed the country to integrate its industries with European markets while protecting its agriculture and fisheries, where it could not compete with Northern European nations. Portugal also expanded its economic ties globally by joining the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1962. Under Marcelo Caetano, who replaced an ageing Salazar as prime minister in 1968, the country continued to liberalise its economy and advance European integration. This effort culminated in the signing of a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1972. When Portugal, under the Third Portuguese Republic, finally joined the EEC in 1986, most trade barriers with the rest of Western Europe had already been dismantled by the Estado Novo, with the exception of those relating to agricultural goods and fisheries and, more importantly, trade with Spain.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1926: 1926 Milestone — It evolved from the Ditadura Nacional ("National Dictatorship") formed after the coup d'état of 28 May 1926 against the unstable First Republic.
2. 1932: 1932 Milestone — The Estado Novo, greatly inspired by conservative and autocratic ideologies, was developed by António de Oliveira Salazar, who was President of the Council of Ministers from 1932 until illness forced him out of office in 1968.
3. 1933: 1933 Milestone — 'New State') was the corporatist Portuguese state installed in 1933.
4. 1948: 1948 Milestone — The first steps toward economic integration began in 1948 when Portugal joined the Marshall Plan, and subsequently became a founding member of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC).
5. 1960: 1960 Milestone — In 1960, Portugal joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which allowed the country to integrate its industries with European markets while protecting its agriculture and fisheries, where it could not compete with Northern European nations.
6. 1962: 1962 Milestone — Portugal also expanded its economic ties globally by joining the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1962.
7. 1968: 1968 Milestone — Under Marcelo Caetano, who replaced an ageing Salazar as prime minister in 1968, the country continued to liberalise its economy and advance European integration.
8. 1972: 1972 Milestone — This effort culminated in the signing of a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1972.
9. 1986: 1986 Milestone — When Portugal, under the Third Portuguese Republic, finally joined the EEC in 1986, most trade barriers with the rest of Western Europe had already been dismantled by the Estado Novo, with the exception of those relating to agricultural goods and fisheries and, more importantly, trade with Spain.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Estado Novo (Portugal)

True or False: “The Estado Novo was immediately established after the collapse of the Portuguese monarchy in 1910.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The regime evolved from the Ditadura Nacional following the coup d'état of May 28, 1926, and formally became the Estado Novo in 1933.

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• Abrar-ul-Haq — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
• Adam McKay — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Acclaimed American filmmaker known for satirical comedies and high-profile adaptations.

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