50 years of climbing revolution: an anniversary of freedom and challenges!

50 years of climbing revolution: an anniversary of freedom and challenges!

On January 23, 2025, the Lusofest Film Festival in Frankfurt is just around the corner, which is under the focus topic "Revolutionary movements and its consequences". The focus of the festival will be the 50th anniversary of the Nelkenrevolution in Portugal, which took place on April 25, 1974. This revolution led to the end of the dictatorship under Marcelo Caetano and marked the beginning of an important transition phase to democracy in Portugal.

The climbing revolution is an important event in the history of Portugal and its former colonies. Immediately after the military coup, the new rulers recognized the right of the colonies to self -determination. A central element of that time was Angola's independence, which was declared on November 11, 1975 after a 14-year armed conflict. Angola's independence was part of a broader process that led to decolonization in several African countries.

The three dimensions of the nelken revolution

The motto of the NELKEN REVOLUTION, the "3D" - democratization, decolonization, development - remains of great relevance today. The revolution enabled the return of many exile such as Alvaro Cunhal and Mario Soares, and two years later the first elections took place after the revolution. These developments led to a wave of democratization that also influenced the entire southern European region, including Spain and Greece.

Decolonization was an important part of the revolution. The colonial war ended with the independence of Guinea-Bissaus (1974), Mozambiks (1975) and Angolas (1975). The international pressure, in particular from the United Nations, supported the emerging independence movements. Frankfurter info that this independence does not always lead to real decolonization; Many countries are still fighting with the aftermath of colonial structures and external influence.

challenges after independence

The decolonization of Africa was a turning point, which was associated with considerable challenges. Although many countries became independent in the 1950s and 1960s, they had to deal with political instability, economic dependence and social tensions. The arbitrary demarcation by European colonial powers led to ethnic conflicts and internal civil wars.

The political structures that were suppressed during the colonial period could often not be reetaated. The economic dependence on raw material exports has also brought many nations into a more difficult location. Knowing that many countries experience continuing poverty and inequality, despite rich natural resources and many ways of economic diversification.