Antonio de Oliveira Salazar was a Portuguese economist, politician, and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. Born on April 28, 1889, in Vimieiro, Portugal, Salazar is widely recognized for his authoritarian leadership and conservative policies, particularly his establishment of an authoritarian regime known as Estado Novo (New State) in 1933, which would endure until the Carnation Revolution in 1974.
Salazar's reign was marked by his strong commitment to maintaining a corporatist dictatorship and promoting economic stability. He implemented strict controls on labor unions, political dissent, and media censorship, while centralizing power in his own office, known as the "Secretariat of State for National Defense." Emphasizing the principles of Catholicism and rural traditionalism, Salazar sought to protect Portuguese society from what he perceived as the dangers of communism and liberal democracy.
Economically, Salazar favored protectionism, import substitution, and autarky to foster self-sufficiency and national resilience, which led to economic growth and stability in the early years of his rule. However, his policies also contributed to the underdevelopment of Portugal in relation to other European nations in the post-World War II era.
Although Salazar's regime brought political stability and modest economic prosperity to Portugal, he was often criticized for his repressive measures and lack of political freedoms. His policies also hindered social progress and contributed to Portugal's isolation from international affairs. After suffering a stroke in 1968, Salazar was replaced by Marcelo Caetano, which ultimately led to the Carnation Revolution and the end of the Estado Novo regime in 1974.
