On October 5, 1910, the Portuguese Monarchy came to an end with the establishment of the Republic. However, the process of discrediting the Monarchy had earlier roots. External indebtedness, the financial crisis, the increase in taxes, the issue of advances to the Royal Household and João Franco's dictatorship were all factors that discredited the Constitutional Monarchy.
The constant economic problems led to tax increases and the population demonstrated in revolts, such as the Janeirinha revolt in 1868. None of the parties seemed to offer solutions - in fact, they were very similar and had no clear ideological principles to distinguish them. There was a feeling in the air that caciquismo and corruption reigned, which guaranteed space for a third alternative in power.
The constant interventions of the monarchs that preceded 1910 didn't help either. Luís and Carlos often resorted to dissolution. King Carlos often resorted to dissolving parliament and forcing elections, but the changes never worked and only discredited the Portuguese political system.
On January 11, 1890, the British issued an ultimatum to Portugal, a note delivered to the Portuguese Foreign Minister by the British Ambassador in Lisbon (Mr. Petre), demanding the withdrawal of Portuguese military expeditions from the regions of the African continent, between its African colonies of Angola and Mozambique, which were under “British protection”. Portugal acceded to the British request, although it protested. This concession by the king caused a revolt.
Portugal's concession to British demands was seen as a national humiliation by the young students. King Carlos was accused of “Britishness” and subjugation to English interests.
In the last quarter of the 19th century, two parties emerged that encouraged public discontent. This gave rise to the Republican (founded in 1883) and Socialist Parties. The Republican Party advocated the establishment of the Republic, political and economic decentralization and the promotion of local power. In the Republicans' view, only a true government based on the liberal ideals of the French Revolution - Liberty, Equality, Fraternity - could respond to the country's problems. The Socialist Party, on the other hand, criticized capitalist society and the non-acceptance of private ownership of the means of production. At the same time, the Portuguese press was at its peak, and since the majority of journalism was owned by republicans or monarchists who were increasingly dissatisfied with the politics in force, the Monarchy was strongly criticized.
Problems were worsening in the kingdom. Rumors circulated about the extravagant spending of the Royal Family, especially Queen Amélia. King Charles I didn't convey a better image, with his reputation as a spendthrift and his amorous adventures turning the royal figure into a joke that was despised with gusto. All this only favored the growth in popularity of the Republicans.
In 1906, King Carlos dissolved Parliament and handed over a majority of powers to João Franco, who ruled the country in an authoritarian manner.
The revolt then spread to Lisbon, with thousands of people marching through the streets of the capital in protest at the national “submission”. The government was forced to resign and the anthem “A Portuguesa” was created by Alfredo Keil and Henrique Lopes de Mendonça, calling on the Portuguese to revolt in the name of their ancestors.
The Regicide
The political action of the Republicans is joined by the muscle of the Freemasons, a secret society, and the Carbonary, another secret society founded by workers and with an idea of more violent action. If the system can't be changed from within, external and extreme action is needed, they argue.
The decisive act happened on February 1, 1908, when, after the Royal Family returned from their palace in Vila Viçosa - where the king had gone to spend a few days hunting - a hail of gunfire hit the royal carriage in Lisbon's Praça do Comércio. King Carlos had been warned that, two days earlier, the police had prevented a plot to assassinate the king and João Franco. However, the king wanted to show that he had nothing to fear and, to give the impression of normality, he drove through the city with little escort and the roof down.
Then shots rang out. King Carlos was immediately hit in the neck with a rifle shot. His son and heir to the throne reacted by firing at the attackers, who were all from the Carbonaria. He was also shot in the face. Manuel, the second son, was wounded in the arm. One of the depictions of the regicide at the time shows Queen Amélia defending herself and her family with a bouquet of flowers.
After the carriage arrived at Lisbon's Navy Arsenal, where the king and heir were declared dead, the bodies of Manuel Buíça and Alfredo Costa, men of modest professions who became the king's executioners, were found at the scene of the crime. The remaining members of the conspiracy fled - most were never caught. Manuel ascended the throne under the name Manuel II and the regicide caused shockwaves in a mostly monarchical Europe.
The new monarch's first measure was to sack João Franco, embarking on a policy of tolerance and openness, but even so, this moderation in politics was unable to stop republicanism. The end of the monarchy seemed inevitable.
In the early hours of 4 October 1910, some people and a small number of angry soldiers armed themselves poorly and went to the top of Avenida da Liberdade. The forces loyal to the King, both military and civilian, showed no interest in defending the King and the monarchical institutions. The palace of Necessidades, where King Manuel II was staying, was bombed by some warships that supported the republican movement. The King and his family left Lisbon for Mafra, where the next day they left for Ericeira, where they embarked on their journey into exile.
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