Democracy and European integration

From First Republic to dictatorship

The military coup of 28 May 1926 ended the First Republic, dissolved Parliament and established military dictatorship. In 1933 a new Constitution framed Estado Novo. Distinguishing these dates prevents treating 1926 and 1933 as one act. Parliament’s historical page explains that the 1933 text underwent a plebiscite under dictatorial conditions, counting abstentions as favourable votes. The existence of a constitutional text alone does not establish that there was democracy.

Revolution and constituent election

The Armed Forces Movement, or MFA, led the revolution of 25 April 1974 that ended Estado Novo. A democratisation process opened; everything was not completed on revolution day. On 25 April 1975 voters elected a Constituent Assembly to prepare and approve the Constitution. “Constituent” describes that task. Pair 1974 with the regime’s end and 1975 with choosing the assembly, without confusing that election with the following year’s legislative elections.

Two moments in 1976

The Constituent Assembly approved the Constitution on 2 April 1976. It entered into force on 25 April, also the date of the first Assembly of the Republic elections. “Approve” and “enter into force” are different actions even in the same month. The Constitution is still identified by 1976 although subsequently revised; for current rules, consult the official current version rather than only the historical original. This guide concerns chronology, leaving powers and rights to dedicated materials.

Signature and European accession

Portugal’s European Economic Community accession treaty was signed at Jerónimos Monastery on 12 June 1985. Membership began on 1 January 1986. EEC is the historical name in the accession context; today we use European Union for the organisation that developed from the European communities. Identify whether a question asks about signature or effective accession. A signed agreement and its implementation can have different dates, as with the Constitution’s approval and entry into force.

Currency in two phases

Portugal adopted the euro on 1 January 1999. During the transition, the euro existed as book money while escudo notes and coins continued in use. Euro notes and coins entered circulation on 1 January 2002. The previous currency was the Portuguese escudo, not the Spanish peseta. Remember two verbs: adopt in 1999; circulate as physical cash in 2002. A question about adoption should therefore not automatically receive the date of the first payments with euro notes.

Rebuild the sequence

Without the text, order revolution, constituent election, Constitution in force, EEC accession, euro adoption and euro cash. Match 1974, 1975, 1976, 1986, 1999 and 2002. Then add treaty signature in 1985 and constitutional approval on 2 April 1976. If unsure, ask “what action happened?”. The following practice helps review the sequence; sources confirm dates and qualifications. This route is independent education without predictions about any citizenship examination.

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