Álvaro Freitas Morna and the “Estado Novo”. Member of the National Assembly (1935-1942) and Governor-General of Angola (1942-1943)

Abstract

This study analyses the political actions of Commander Álvaro Freitas Morna as a member of the National Assembly (1935-1942) and Governor-General of Angola (1942–1943). Elected member of the First and Second Legislatures of the “Estado Novo”, Freitas Morna stood out for his political independence and critical attitude towards the dictatorship government, particularly with regard to naval affairs. In this regard, he presented several bills aimed at reorganising the Ministry of the Navy and the General Council of the Navy and creating the Institute of Hydrography. He also showed great tolerance towards military officers who had been involved in political movements opposed to the regime, calling for their amnesty by the government. Later, as Governor-General of Angola, Freitas Morna endeavoured to find solutions to the problems that were undermining the colony’s economic and social development and affecting the political relationship between the authorities and the population, especially the white minority. As such, he demonstrated not only his own thinking on matters of government, but also his commitment to reforming the administrative structures of the colonial state and promoting economic development, not hesitating to break some of the shackles imposed by the colonial pact policy in force since the enactment of the Colonial Act of 1930. In addition to his modernising and developmentalist stance, Freitas Morna sought to meet some of the political demands of the settlers, allowing, for example, municipal elections to be held. He also worked to improve the living conditions of the indigenous population, particularly in terms of health and labour, paying special attention to the problem of the so-called “contracted workers” sent to São Tomé. However, the energetic and autonomous way in which Freitas Morna presided over the colony’s destiny was not well received by the government in Lisbon, particularly by the Minister for the Colonies, leading to his dismissal in August 1943.

Keywords: Álvaro Freitas Morna; “Estado Novo”; National Assembly; General Government of Angola; Ministry of the Navy; Institute of Hydrography; Portuguese Colonialism; White Settlers.