A rich history of Portugal's Carnation Revolution, told by its trade unionists, activists, workers and women.
Available in the US only.
On the 25th April 1974, a coup destroyed the ranks of Portugal’s fascist Estado Novo government as the Portuguese people flooded the streets of Lisbon, placing red carnations in the barrels of guns and demanding a ‘land for those who work in it’.
This became the Carnation Revolution - an international coalition of working class and social movements, which also incited struggles for independence in Portugal’s African colonies, the rebellion of the young military captains in the national armed forces and the uprising of Portugal’s long-oppressed working classes. It was through the organising power of these diverse movements that a popular-front government was instituted and Portugal withdrew from its overseas colonies.
Cutting against the grain of mainstream accounts, Raquel Cardeira Varela explores the role of trade unions, artists and women in the revolution, providing a rich account of the challenges faced and the victories gained through revolutionary means.
Reviews
'Lively, brilliantly documented and filled with the voices of Portugal's ordinary people, this book recovers the revolution from below that shook Portugal in 1974-5' - Colin Barker, author of 'Festival of the Oppressed: solidarity, reform and revolution in Poland, 1980-81'
'An excellent, well-written, and radical introduction to a complex and immensely important history.' - Marcel van der Linden, International Institute of Social History
'A brilliant piece of social history' - Weekly Worker
About the author
Raquel Varela is a Professor at New University of Lisbon, and Senior Visiting Professor at the Fluminense Federal University. She is also president of the International Association of Strikes and Social Conflicts and co-editor of its journal.
Author: Raquel Varela
Publisher: Pluto Press
ISBN: 9780745338576
Published: 2/ 2019
Format: Paperback
Size: 150mm x 230mm
Page count: 352