The First Republic: Macao and the Freemasons

Abstract:     
The rise of Macao's elite in the first quarter of the 20th century is linked to two seemingly separate phenomena. Nevertheless they are closed linked. On the one hand, the appearance of local political groupings aligned with the main Republican parties of Portugal, while on the other hand, the social significance of the Freemasons, with their structured loyalties and solidarity within the Portuguese community. The Freemasons in Macao consisted of both local-born and expatriates. These factors contrasted with the ingrained influence of the Catholic Church and its missionary work in an inherently conservative, parochial society.

Note: Downloadable document is in Portuguese.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 10

Keywords: Macao, Freemasons, Catholicism, Portugal, republic, political parties

JEL Classification: A00, Z00

Accepted Paper Series