Issue and Opponent: The Carnation Revolution was a bloodless coup in which almost no shots were fired. The Estado Novo regime, formally known as the Second Portuguese Republic, started in Portugal in 1933. The regime employed a secret police force that forcibly put an end to all protests and demonstrations for civil freedoms. In March 1974, General António de Spínola was removed as the deputy minister of the armed forces, which angered his supporters. Low-ranking officers and dissidents started the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) to plan a protest against the Portuguese government.
Characteristics of DA: Red carnations were given to soldiers by the crowds of people in support of the government’s overthrow. The soldiers placed the carnations in the barrels of their guns and pinned them on their uniforms. The carnation became the symbol of the coup. The image of the soldiers with the carnation in their guns became iconic in local and international media.
Outcome: This action highlighted the corruption of the military regime and reframed the narrative for outside supporters. By the morning of April 26, the MFA had control of Portugal and promised to hold democratic elections.