Carnation Revolution: Volume 2 Coup in Portugal, April 1974

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In March 1974, a climate of conspiracy reigned in Portugal. Premier Marcello Caetano, insisted on the continuation of the Portuguese presence in Africa and the wars being waged against the liberation movements in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea. Costa Gomes and Spnola, Portugal's two most senior generals, did not share this view. Spnola, with Costa Gomes's permission, had published Portugal e o Futuro (Portugal and the Future), a book that questioned the policy that had been followed until then, and caused a major political earthquake throughout Portugal and its colonies. At the same time, a movement of young captains prepared the overthrow of the regime. Tired of the war in Africa and the government's inability to solve the overseas problem, the conspirators drew up plans to end the dictatorship and establish a democratic regime in Portugal. A first coup attempt on 16 March 1974 was neutralized by government forces, but the second attempt on 25 April was an overwhelming success. In under 24 hours, the insurgents controlled the streets of the capital and Marcello Caetano was surrounded by rebel forces. With no options remaining, Caetano would hand power to General Spnola, who would become the new leader of the emerging regime. The people took to the streets of Lisbon to give red flowers to the soldiers, earning these events the name of 'The Carnation Revolution.' Carnation Revolution Volume 2: Coup in Portugal, April 1974 offers a detailed account of the intertwining political and military events of March and April 1974 in and around Lisbon as power swung irretrievably from a dictatorial government to a military intent on ending the colonial wars in Africa and restoring democracy to Portugal. This volume is illustrated throughout with original photographs and includes specially commissioned color artworks. AUTHORS: Jos Matos is an independent researcher in military history in Portugal with a primary interest in operations of the Portuguese Air Force during the colonial wars in Africa, especially in Guinea. He is a regular contributor to numerous European magazines on military aviation and naval subjects, and has collaborated in the major project 'The Air Force at the end of the Empire', published in Portugal in 2018. This is his first instalment for Helion. Zelia Oliveira: is a journalist at the Portuguese National News Agency (Lusa) and holds a master's degree in contemporary Portuguese history. 96 b/w photos, 4 colour photos, 13 colour profiles, 1 colour map

Reviews

"These volumes provide a detailed and nuanced account of the April 1974 coup, with a surprising emphasis on the multifaceted role of airpower in its success. Extensive bibliographies and notes make them useful to serious historians. There are copious photographs throughout, as well as large sections of full-color drawings."-- "The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"
"As fighting was virtually non-existent, the text concentrates on the political infighting and opposition in and among the various factions. Like any revolution, you might be able to bend the information to create a street fight for the capital..."-- "Historical Miniatures Gaming Society"

Author Bio

Jose Matos is an independent researcher in military history in Portugal with a primary interest in operations of the Portuguese Air Force during the colonial wars in Africa, especially in Guinea. He is a regular contributor to numerous European magazines on military aviation and naval subjects, and has collaborated in the major project 'The Air Force at the end of the Empire', published in Portugal in 2018. This is his first instalment for Helion. Zelia Oliveira: is a journalist at the Portuguese National News Agency (Lusa) and holds a master's degree in contemporary Portuguese history.