Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
constitution grew vociferous over the next two decades, bringing the country to the brink
of civil war. The Duke of Saldanha, however, saved the day, negotiating a peace that toned
down Pedro's charter, while still radically modernising Portugal's infrastructure.
The latter half of the 19th century was a remarkable period for Portugal, and it became
known as one of the most advanced societies in southern Europe. Casual visitors to Lis-
bon, such as Hans Christian Andersen, were surprised to find tree-lined boulevards with
gas street lamps, efficient trams and well-dressed residents. Social advances were less an-
ecdotal. The educational reformer João Arroio dramatically increased the number of
schools, doubling the number of boys' schools and quadrupling the number of girls'
schools. Women gained the right to own property; slavery was abolished throughout the
Portuguese empire, as was the death penalty; and even the prison system received an over-
haul - prisoners were taught useful trades while in jail so they could integrate into society
upon their release.
Professional organisations, such as the Literary Guild, emerged and became a major im-
petus to the advancement of ideas in public discourse, inspiring debate in politics, reli-
gious life and the art world.
As elsewhere in Europe, this was also a time of great industrial growth, with a dramatic
increase in textile production, much of it to be exported. Other major works included the
building of bridges and a nationwide network of roads, as well as a flourish of major ar-
chitectural works such as the Pena Palace above Sintra.
Some historians believe Portuguese explorers reached Australia in the 1500s, 250 years before its 'offi-
cial' discoverer, Captain James Cook. For the inside scoop, read Kenneth McIntyre's The Secret Discovery of
Australia (1977).
However, by 1900 the tides of discontent among workers began to grow. With in-
creased mechanisation, workers began losing jobs (some factory owners began hiring
children to operate the machines), and their demand for fair working conditions went un-
answered. Those who went on strike were simply fired and replaced. At the same time,
Portugal experienced a dramatic demographic shift: rural areas were increasingly depopu-
lated in favour of cities, and emigration (especially to Brazil) snowballed.
Much was changing, and more and more people began to look towards socialism as a
cure for the country's inequalities. Nationalist republicanism swept through the lower-
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search