Portuguese Colonial War

===Post-World War II===

===Post-World War II===

In the late 1950s, the [[Military of Portugal|Portuguese Armed Forces]] saw themselves confronted with the paradox generated by the dictatorial regime of the ''[[Estado Novo (Portugal)|Estado Novo]]'' that had been in power since 1933; on one hand, the policy of Portuguese neutrality in World War II placed the Portuguese Armed Forces out of the way of a possible [[Cold war|East-West conflict]]; on the other, the regime felt the increased responsibility of keeping Portugal's vast overseas territories under control and protecting the citizenry there. Portugal joined [[NATO]] as a founding member in 1949, and was integrated within the various fledgling military commands of NATO.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_162352.htm|title=Portugal and NATO – 1949|last=NATO|website=NATO|language=en|access-date=2020-03-11}}

In the late 1950s, the [[Military of Portugal|Portuguese Armed Forces]] saw themselves confronted with the paradox generated by the dictatorial regime of the ''[[Estado Novo (Portugal)|Estado Novo]]'' that had been in power since 1933; on one hand, the policy of Portuguese neutrality in World War II placed the Portuguese Armed Forces out of the way of a possible [[Cold war|East-West conflict]]; on the other, the regime felt the increased responsibility of keeping Portugal's vast overseas territories under control and protecting the citizenry there. Portugal joined the military alliance, [[NATO]], as a founding member in 1949, and was integrated within the various fledgling military commands of NATO.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_162352.htm|title=Portugal and NATO – 1949|last=NATO|website=NATO|language=en|access-date=2020-03-11}}

NATO's focus on preventing a conventional Soviet attack against Western Europe was to the detriment of military preparations against guerrilla uprisings in Portugal's overseas provinces that were considered essential for the survival of the nation. The integration of Portugal in NATO resulted in the formation of a military élite who were critical in the planning and implementation of operations during the Overseas War. This "NATO generation" ascended quickly to the highest political positions and military command without having to provide evidence of loyalty to the regime.

NATO's focus on preventing a conventional Soviet attack against Western Europe was to the detriment of military preparations against guerrilla uprisings in Portugal's overseas provinces that were considered essential for the survival of the Portuguese state. The integration of Portugal in NATO resulted in the formation of a military élite who were critical in the planning and implementation of operations during the Overseas War. This "NATO generation" ascended quickly to the highest political positions and military command without having to provide evidence of loyalty to the regime.

The Colonial War established a split between the military structure – heavily influenced by the western powers with democratic governments – and the political power of the regime. Some analysts see the "[[Botelho Moniz coup]]" of 1961 (also known as ''A Abrilada'') against the Portuguese government and backed by the U.S. administration,{{in lang|pt}} Luís Nuno Rodrigues [http://www.ipri.pt/investigadores/artigo.php?idi=8&ida=140 "Orgulhosamente Sós"? Portugal e os Estados Unidos no início da década de 1960 – At the 22nd Meeting of History teachers of the Centro (region), Caldas da Rainha, April 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220230552/http://www.ipri.pt/investigadores/artigo.php?idi=8&ida=140 |date=2007-12-20 }}, Instituto de Relações Internacionais (International Relations Institute) as the beginning of this rupture, the origin of a lapse on the part of the regime to keep up a unique command center, an armed force prepared for threats of conflict in the colonies. This situation caused, as was verified later, a lack of coordination between the three general staffs ([[Portuguese Army|Army]], [[Portuguese Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Portuguese Navy|Navy]]).

The Colonial War established a split between the military structure – heavily influenced by the western powers with democratic governments – and the political power of the regime. Some analysts see the "[[Botelho Moniz coup]]" of 1961 (also known as ''A Abrilada'') against the Portuguese government and backed by the U.S. administration,{{in lang|pt}} Luís Nuno Rodrigues [http://www.ipri.pt/investigadores/artigo.php?idi=8&ida=140 "Orgulhosamente Sós"? Portugal e os Estados Unidos no início da década de 1960 – At the 22nd Meeting of History teachers of the Centro (region), Caldas da Rainha, April 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220230552/http://www.ipri.pt/investigadores/artigo.php?idi=8&ida=140 |date=2007-12-20 }}, Instituto de Relações Internacionais (International Relations Institute) as the beginning of this rupture, the origin of a lapse on the part of the regime to keep up a unique command center, an armed force prepared for threats of conflict in the colonies. This situation caused, as was verified later, a lack of coordination between the three general staffs ([[Portuguese Army|Army]], [[Portuguese Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Portuguese Navy|Navy]]).