[世界史の理解]

2023年03月14日

Portugal this time. While social unrest was rising due to the chaos caused by the Portuguese Revolution and the Great Depression, first of all, Salazar, who succeeded in rebuilding the economy with thorough austerity up to reduction in the navy and higher education-related budget, became the prime minister with the overwhelming support of the people, finance minister, foreign minister, also serving as the Minister of the Army and Navy,finally became a dictator. Because the model of the police and education was Nazi Germany, it was pro-German neutral in World War II. From August to September 1940, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be tested which was stronger, pro-Germanism or pro-Albionism. Britain was bombed in various places all around the mainland and the air raids on London were in full swing. The burning city of London was reported every day, and the British surrender was considered to be close. However, Portugal, like its neighbor Spain, did not declare war on Britain. How much did Portugal understand the situation changes such as the German fighter Messerschmitt was inferior to the British Spitfire in quality of turning speed and cruising range,the sharp increase in damage to German aircrafts due to radar detectors, and the emphasis on London air raids from September? Whether it was grasped or not, it will be important to report to the home country of the diplomat in London in particular. Portugal was pro-British, and she had not declared war on Britain to protect the colony except in the case of participation in Armed Neutrality Alliance ,which was an important raw material supply and product market for Salazar. There was also a plan to occupy Portugal by the neighboring countries Spain and Germany, which was more pro-German, but it was by a hair’s breadth saved because it was postponed due to the prolonged war against Britain. In accordance with the inferiority of the Axis side after that, it was recognized after the war that the country contributed to the victory of the Allies, such as allowing the Allies to use the Azores in the Atlantic and permission to use the U.S. military in East Timor, which was under Japanese occupation, and after the war escaped diplomatic isolation,compared with that of Spain.