ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the final 33 years of Portuguese administration of Macau, including preparation for the handover. Macau's constitutional moment flowed from the seemingly innocuous issue of building permits. Chinese residents of Taipa wanted to build a school sponsored by a kaifong organization. Governor Cavalho and Overseas Minister Silva Cunha thought it better to accept Guangzhou's demands on an official basis than cave to local grassroots organizations, and Salazar agreed. Guangzhou responded 1 week later by amending its terms to include the items demanded by the United Front. The new order was only effective for 2 years as the moribund Estado Novo , crippled at home and abroad, staggered toward its 1974 collapse. The bloodless Carnation Revolution that overthrew the Estado Novo began on 25 April 1974. The enterprise was started by a union of junior military officers known as the “Armed Forces Movement” opposed to the continuation of colonial wars.
