Américo Thomaz
Encyclopedia
Américo de Deus Rodrigues Tomás, GCC
, GOA
, GOSE (ɐˈmɛɾiku dɨ ˈdewʃ ʁuˈdɾiɡɨʃ tuˈmaʃ), archaic spelling: Américo Thomaz, (Lisbon
, November 19, 1894 - Cascais
, September 18, 1987) was a Portuguese
admiral
and politician
.
Tomás became minister of the Navy in 1944. During his term as Minitry of the Navy, he was responsible for the total reconstrucion of the Portuguese comercial navy organized under the famous Dispatch 100 under which were order 56 ships with more than 300 000 tons of displacement.
He was elected president of the Portuguese Republic in 1958, and re-elected in 1965 and 1972. During this time, Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian regime of António de Oliveira Salazar
and the president of the republic had only a figurative role. The pompous style with which he was referred to by the compliant state media (The Most Excellent Lord, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Rear-Admiral Américo de Deus Thomaz), as contrasted by the virtual powerlessness of his office under Salazar, made him a target of frequent jokes. Tomás used his presidential prerogative just once: to dismiss Salazar when he became incapacitated by a severe stroke in September, 1968. Tomás appointed Marcello Caetano to replace Salazar as prime minister. He took a much more active role in the government after Caetano took power, and became the rallying point for hard-liners who thought that even Caetano's cosmetic reforms went too far.
" deposed Caetano, Tomás was also overthrown and sent to exile in Brazil
until 1980, when he returned to Portugal.
Order of Christ (Portugal)
The Military Order of Christ previously the Royal Order of the Knights of Our Lord Jesus Christ was the heritage of the Knights Templar in Portugal, after the suppression of the Templars in 1312...
, GOA
Order of Aviz
The Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1789 Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz , previously Knights of St. Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese Order of Chivalry...
, GOSE (ɐˈmɛɾiku dɨ ˈdewʃ ʁuˈdɾiɡɨʃ tuˈmaʃ), archaic spelling: Américo Thomaz, (Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, November 19, 1894 - Cascais
Cascais
Cascais is a coastal town in Cascais Municipality in Portugal, 30 kilometres west of Lisbon, with about 35,000 residents. It is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal...
, September 18, 1987) was a Portuguese
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...
admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Career
He was elected president of the Portuguese Republic in 1958, and re-elected in 1965 and 1972. During this time, Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian regime of António de Oliveira Salazar
António de Oliveira Salazar
António de Oliveira Salazar, GColIH, GCTE, GCSE served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. He also served as acting President of the Republic briefly in 1951. He founded and led the Estado Novo , the authoritarian, right-wing government that presided over and controlled Portugal...
and the president of the republic had only a figurative role. The pompous style with which he was referred to by the compliant state media (The Most Excellent Lord, the President of the Portuguese Republic, Rear-Admiral Américo de Deus Thomaz), as contrasted by the virtual powerlessness of his office under Salazar, made him a target of frequent jokes. Tomás used his presidential prerogative just once: to dismiss Salazar when he became incapacitated by a severe stroke in September, 1968. Tomás appointed Marcello Caetano to replace Salazar as prime minister. He took a much more active role in the government after Caetano took power, and became the rallying point for hard-liners who thought that even Caetano's cosmetic reforms went too far.
Overthrow and death
When on April 25, 1974, the "Carnation RevolutionCarnation Revolution
The Carnation Revolution , also referred to as the 25 de Abril , was a military coup started on 25 April 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, coupled with an unanticipated and extensive campaign of civil resistance...
" deposed Caetano, Tomás was also overthrown and sent to exile in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
until 1980, when he returned to Portugal.