Antonio de Oliveira Salazar

After the May 28, 1926 coup, Salazar was appointed Minister of Finance by President

Salazar oversaw the promulgation of a new constitution on April 11, 1933, creating the Estado Novo (New State). This corporatist, authoritarian regime replaced the unstable First Republic, concentrating power in Salazar's hands as Prime Minister and suppressing political opposition, trade unions, and free press.

Throughout World War II (1939-1945), Salazar kept Portugal officially neutral while leaning toward the Allies. He allowed the Allies to use bases in the Azores from 1943, while continuing to sell tungsten to Germany. This policy preserved Portuguese sovereignty and avoided invasion.

When anti-colonial wars erupted in Angola (1961), Guinea-Bissau (1963), and Mozambique (1964), Salazar refused to grant independence, declaring Portugal's African territories as 'overseas provinces.' This decision led to the Portuguese Colonial War, lasting until 1974 and draining Portuguese resources.

In September 1968, Salazar suffered a severe stroke that left him incapacitated. President Am