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The Regeneration of Portugal (1851) – Saldanha’s …

Years: 1840 - 1851

The Regeneration of Portugal (1851) – Saldanha’s Coup and the Path to Stability

After years of political instability and factional struggles, Marshal João Carlos de Saldanha staged a successful revolt in 1851, ousting Costa Cabral and gaining control of the government. This event marked the beginning of the Regeneração (Regeneration), a period of political reform and gradual stabilization in Portugal.

Saldanha’s Revolt and the Fall of Costa Cabral (1851)

  • Saldanha, with the support of the Porto garrison, launched a coup, taking control of the government.
  • Costa Cabral was sent into exile, ending his divisive and authoritarian rule.
  • The Regeneradores (Regenerators), Saldanha’s faction, sought to modernize and adapt the Constitutional Charter of 1826 to make it more compatible with Portugal’s evolving political and social reality.

Reforming the Constitutional Charter – The Regeneration Period

  • Rather than abolishing the Constitutional Charter, the Regenerators pursued gradual modifications, introducing amendments to make the system more inclusive.
  • The first major reform was a new electoral law, which:
    • Expanded voting rights, making the franchise more acceptable to the Septemberists (the radical liberals).
    • Allowed for broader political participation, reducing tensions between factions.
  • Over time, these reforms stabilized Portuguese governance, ensuring a more balanced constitutional monarchy.

The Evolution of Political Factions – The Rise of the Progressives

  • The Septemberists, who had historically opposed the Charterist moderates, began evolving into a new political identity.
  • They were now referred to as the Históricos (Historicals) and, later, as the Progressistas (Progressives).
  • This shift in political dynamics allowed for a more structured two-party system, reducing the constant revolts and factional conflicts of previous decades.

Conclusion – A More Stable Portugal

Saldanha’s Regeneration movement marked a turning point in Portuguese politics, shifting from violent factional struggles to a more gradual process of reform. By modifying the Constitutional Charter rather than overthrowing it, Portugal achieved a degree of stability, allowing the country to move toward a more functional constitutional monarchy in the second half of the 19th century.

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Southwest Europe (1840 - 1851)
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Atlantic Southwest Europe (1840 - 1851)

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