Just a thought that occured to me. How likely and/or possible is it for the two essentially fascist regimes of Iberia to merge into a single unified republic with overseas territories?
Could Fascist/Authoritarian Portugal and Spain have merged into Iberia in the 30's?
- Thread starter Coyote Knight
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Flocculencio
Donor
Why would two regimes, both built on the idea of intense nationalism even want merge or retain any credibility if they did so?
Dr. Strangelove
Banned
Salazar's entire system was based in Portugal's national uniqueness as the oldest nation-state in Europe and the only colonial empire that (officially) treated its colonies as part of the metropoli. So, no.
If I remember correctly Portugal was the subject of a hostile take over in the 16th century by Spain ...it didnt end well but an invasion by Spain would be the only certain way of 'merging'
And what if the REPUBLICANS won? What if Franco lost?
It's not technically what you want, but I guess it is quite possible a socialist or communist Spain may try to 'liberate' the old 'better ennemies', by force. And it ends up as an union., probably quite unwilling, but...
ASB surely in Cold War days, yeah...
It's not technically what you want, but I guess it is quite possible a socialist or communist Spain may try to 'liberate' the old 'better ennemies', by force. And it ends up as an union., probably quite unwilling, but...
ASB surely in Cold War days, yeah...
On the reverse, THEORICALY, I could see Salazar trying his luck to solve... frontiers disagreements, after such a war gone bad for Franco - or BOTH sides.
Was there old frontiers problems between Spain and Portugal? Contested regions?
(Now, a conquest of Spain would be REALLY ASB...)
Was there old frontiers problems between Spain and Portugal? Contested regions?
(Now, a conquest of Spain would be REALLY ASB...)
corourke
Donor
There were very close connections between the various Spanish and Portuguese (also French) anarchist parties before the civil war, some even going as far as to be use the word "Iberian" in their names. Perhaps a unification under a libertarian socialist/anarchist/republican regime would be more likely...
Dr. Strangelove
Banned
The only change in Portugal's borders since the Treaty of 1297 was Spain's conquest of Olivenza in 1800. It is perhaps the world's oldest and most stable border.
Think of Portugal as Spain's Canada. Would any hypothetical canadian authoritarian regime get very far by suggesting merging with its only bigger, richer neighbour?
Anticlimacus
Banned
In fact... no. There are polls in Portugal that say that 40% of the population is favourable to some sort of union with Spain.
Actually yes if they profess some similar ideologies, dropped canadian nationalism and into a form of 'pan-WASPism/Pan-americanism' MAYBE (and Quebec and francos in general wouldn't be happy, to say the least, but probably a target of easy oppression then...). But ASB quite indeed.
I didn't know much, so thank for infos, though.
If you refer to these news, this is usually the result of frustration about the crisis. It should be taken a sign of wanting a close cooperation between neighboring countries with a good relation nowadays.
Portugal and Spain, especially in those days, were not remotely likely to merge, barring some kind of catastrophe. The cultures are too different, and one of the tenets of the consolidation of Portugal's identity was not being part of Spain.
Hmm...the Republicans win the Civil War, then some of the more enthusiastic/romantic members of the Left win the infighting, and decide to "liberate" Portugal. Don't know how strong Portugal's army was back then, so I couldn't guess how plausible a Spanish victory is.
The fun begins when Britain and France freak out over "Communist" aggression (depending on how the infighting went, it may be Communist aggression, no quote marks). Especially if this distraction happens around the time of the Munich Crisis.
The fun begins when Britain and France freak out over "Communist" aggression (depending on how the infighting went, it may be Communist aggression, no quote marks). Especially if this distraction happens around the time of the Munich Crisis.
