History of Portugal

Portugal has a long and rich history that goes back over a thousand years before the arrival of the Europeans.  The Celts were the first people to arrive in Portugal.  The Romans conquered them in 140 BC.  By the end of the Roman era, the Visigoths had taken over the Iberian Peninsula.  Over the next thousand years, control of the area was passed between the Lucitanians, Visigoths, and Moors.

Portugal broke free of Moorish Spain and became an independent country in 1143.  It slowly expanded until it reached Africa, Indochina, Persia and the Mayan peninsula.  They remained an independent state until 1581, when Phillip II of Spain invaded the country.  He occupied the country for sixty years.  Portugal regained control of her country in 1640, but was losing colonies rapidly.  Before long, Angola and Mozambique were the only two colonies remaining.

19^th and 20^th Century

In 1889, King Carlos ascended the throne but was assassinated in 1908 along with his heir.  The next king was in power for 2 years before the revolution in 1910.  During World War I, Portugal fought aside the Allies both on the African and Western fronts.  Another revolution brought Antonio de Oliveira Salazar to power in 1926.  Portugal was kept neutral in World War II, but Allies were given air and naval bases after 1943.  Portugal helped found NATO in 1949 but did not join the UN until 1955. Salazar ruled in a dictatorial manner until 1968.

Both Salazar and his successor, Marcello Caetano, gradually lost small pieces of their colonies.  By 1975, Mozambique and Angola successfully fought for independence, leaving Portugal with only Macao remaining.  This was also a year with major changes to Portugal’s government, leaving their country in economic, political and social chaos for the next decade.

The European Union, formerly known as the European Economic Community, welcomed Portugal in 1986.  In 1985, the new Socialist prime minister ushered in an era of political stability.  Another Socialist followed his term in office.  During this era, Portugal flourished economically.  They became founding members of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 1999, this same year; Portugal gave up their colony in Macao, turning it over to China.

21^st Century

The 21^st century brought disaster to Portugal.  Forest fires in 2002 led to over a thousand deaths.  After Prime Minister Barroso left in 2004, Pedro Santana Lopes succeeded him.  A year later, José Sócrates became prime minister with 45% of the vote.  He remained prime minister for 5 years until he resigned because of inability to end the rapidly growing financial crisis.  In 2011, Portugal applied for economic aid from the European Union.