Bernardino Machado, Portuguese academic and politician, 3rd President of Portugal (d. 1944)

A Life in Portuguese Politics: Bernardino Luís Machado Guimarães

Bernardino Luís Machado Guimarães, a name deeply intertwined with the turbulent early decades of the Portuguese Republic, was a prominent political figure born on March 28, 1851. Honored with titles like GCTE and GCL, Machado served as President of Portugal not once, but twice, holding the nation’s highest office during periods of immense political instability: first from 1915 to 1917, and again from 1925 to 1926. His career was a testament to the volatile nature of the First Portuguese Republic, a period marked by frequent coups, government changes, and ideological clashes.

The First Presidency and the Sidonist Coup

Machado's initial tenure as the third President of Portugal began in 1915. However, the political landscape of the First Republic was notoriously fragile, characterized by a succession of short-lived governments. This instability reached a boiling point in 1917. In December of that year, a powerful military junta, led by the charismatic and controversial figure of Sidónio Pais, orchestrated a coup d'état. Pais, who would become known as the "President-King," dissolved the existing Congress and swiftly removed President Machado from power. This dramatic turn of events left Machado with no choice but to depart the country, entering a period of forced exile as Pais consolidated his authoritarian rule, which many historians consider a precursor to later European dictatorships.

A Brief Return and the Rise of the Estado Novo

Despite the setback, the political pendulum swung again. Following the assassination of Sidónio Pais and further years of political turbulence, Bernardino Machado made a remarkable return to the forefront of Portuguese politics. He was once again elected to the presidency of the Republic, assuming office for his second term in 1925. This return, however, proved to be tragically short-lived, lasting just over a year. The deeply fragmented and often corrupt political system of the First Republic continued to be vulnerable to military intervention. On 28 May 1926, a powerful and decisive military revolution erupted, effectively bringing an end to the First Republic itself. This coup, which started in Braga and quickly gained momentum across the nation, decisively overthrew President Machado for the second time. This military uprising did not merely remove a president; it instituted a new military dictatorship that would systematically dismantle democratic institutions and, in the years that followed, pave the way for the establishment of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime under António de Oliveira Salazar, a system that would control Portugal for nearly five decades. Machado, by then an octogenarian, lived until April 29, 1944, witnessing the long shadow of the dictatorship his final overthrow helped to usher in.

The Context of the First Portuguese Republic

Understanding Bernardino Machado's political career requires appreciating the tumultuous backdrop of the First Portuguese Republic (1910-1926). This era, which followed the collapse of the monarchy, was an ambitious but ultimately failed experiment in parliamentary democracy. Characterized by intense factionalism, revolutionary fervor, and frequent governmental crises (there were 45 governments in 16 years), the Republic struggled to establish stability. Machado's two presidencies perfectly encapsulate this fragility; he was a republican statesman who repeatedly tried to steer the nation through its challenges, only to be twice unseated by military force. His story is therefore not just that of an individual politician, but a critical lens through which to view the struggles and ultimate demise of Portugal's first republican experiment.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bernardino Machado

Who was Bernardino Luís Machado Guimarães?

He was a prominent Portuguese political figure who served two non-consecutive terms as the third and eighth President of Portugal during the First Portuguese Republic (1915-1917 and 1925-1926).

When was Bernardino Machado born and when did he pass away?

Bernardino Machado was born on March 28, 1851, and he passed away on April 29, 1944.

What were the key events of his presidencies?

His first presidency (1915-1917) ended abruptly when he was overthrown by a military coup led by Sidónio Pais. His second presidency (1925-1926) was also cut short by the 28 May 1926 military revolution, which established a military dictatorship and set the stage for the Estado Novo.

What was the significance of the 28 May 1926 military revolution?

The 28 May 1926 military revolution was a pivotal moment in Portuguese history. It led to the second overthrow of President Machado, ended the First Portuguese Republic, established a military dictatorship, and paved the way for the long-lasting authoritarian Estado Novo regime under Salazar.

How is Bernardino Machado remembered in Portuguese history?

He is remembered as a resilient republican statesman whose career spanned the most tumultuous years of the First Portuguese Republic, twice holding the presidency and twice being removed by military force, symbolizing the inherent instability that ultimately led to the Republic's collapse and the rise of dictatorship.