Movement of Democratic Unity
Encyclopedia
The Movement of Democratic Unity was a quasi-legal platform of Portuguese
democratic organizations that opposed the dictatorial regime of António Oliveira Salazar and was founded in October 1945.
The defeat of the Fascist regimes in the World War II
put the dictatorial regime of Oliveira Salazar in a troublesome position, so, in order to improve the image of the regime at the eyes of the Western allies, the government authorized some fake democratic openings, such as the creation of the MUD, in October 1945. The opposition groups were already organized in the Movement of National Antifascist Unity
(MUNAF), and quickly organized themselves inside the newly-created MUD, that replaced the MUNAF.
The MUD quickly developed a strong structure, based on local committees at district, parish and neighborhood level. Initially, MUD's political stance was controlled by the moderate opposition, but soon, the Portuguese Communist Party
became the main force inside the Movement. The growing influence of the MUD in the Portuguese society, combined with the strong anti-communist action of the government, led to the banning of MUD in January 1948.
In 1946, the MUD created a youth wing, the Juvenile MUD
(Portuguese: MUD Juvenil or MUDJ). This wing was the most influenced by the Communist Party.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
democratic organizations that opposed the dictatorial regime of António Oliveira Salazar and was founded in October 1945.
The defeat of the Fascist regimes in the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
put the dictatorial regime of Oliveira Salazar in a troublesome position, so, in order to improve the image of the regime at the eyes of the Western allies, the government authorized some fake democratic openings, such as the creation of the MUD, in October 1945. The opposition groups were already organized in the Movement of National Antifascist Unity
Movement of National Antifascist Unity
The Movement of National Antifascist Unity was a political platform of democratic organizations that struggled against the Portuguese fascist-leaning regime, led by António de Oliveira Salazar...
(MUNAF), and quickly organized themselves inside the newly-created MUD, that replaced the MUNAF.
The MUD quickly developed a strong structure, based on local committees at district, parish and neighborhood level. Initially, MUD's political stance was controlled by the moderate opposition, but soon, the Portuguese Communist Party
Portuguese Communist Party
The Portuguese Communist Party is a major left-wing political party in Portugal. It is a Marxist-Leninist party, and its organization is based upon democratic centralism. The party also considers itself to be patriotic and internationalist....
became the main force inside the Movement. The growing influence of the MUD in the Portuguese society, combined with the strong anti-communist action of the government, led to the banning of MUD in January 1948.
In 1946, the MUD created a youth wing, the Juvenile MUD
Juvenile MUD
The Juvenile Movement of Democratic Unity was the youth wing of a Portuguese democratic platform that opposed the dictatorship of António Oliveira Salazar, the Movement of Democratic Unity....
(Portuguese: MUD Juvenil or MUDJ). This wing was the most influenced by the Communist Party.