I discussed it with Googer/Aaron and then this happened. Seeing as Portugal is so trapped under Spanish control, I can't imagine they'll be particularly important on the world stage but if I'm going to get back into PoW, I should do it with a country that can get involved in the action.
Anyway, bleh:
Nation: "The Second Portuguese Republic" or "Portugal"
Leader: Salvador Macedo (PM)
History: The Portuguese Republic, still fresh from a coup ending 800 years of monarchy, stayed neutral in the opening stages of the Great War. Anxiety over perceived German aggression in their colonies pushed the fledgling republic into the arms of the Allies and on the 9th of March 1916, war was declared by Germany and the Central Powers. Unlike other countries in Europe at the time, Portugal did not see heavy action in the trenches of Belgium and France. Several divisions were sent to France but the main Portuguese front lay in Africa, particularly in Portuguese Mozambique and southern Angola, where German spies instigated a native rebellion. As the war dragged on into the 20's, morale grew low and a mutiny in Mozambique saw Portugal relying heavily on the British for support in Africa.
When the war dragged to a halt in 1925, the small Iberian nation was under extreme pressure, both at home and in Africa. With debt eclipsed the economy, inflation smashing all records and a growing independence movement in Portuguese Africa, it was almost unsurprising when a military junta overthrew the government for the second time in 20 years. In 1934, the Junta cheaply sold Angola to the highest bidder (Germany) and the worlds first global empire breathed its last just two years later with the sale of Mozambique. The remnants of the Empire were slowly swallowed up in the decades that followed.
Democracy was restored in 1942 and the Second Portuguese Republic was declared shortly after the elections. The peaceful transition of power restored faith in democracy and many looked to the future with hope. Portuguese national pride had been severely hurt under military rule, with imperialists and republicans alike decrying the Junta's "careless sale of the empire". Portugal became protective of what it had left - Macau. Subsequent governments went to great lengths to assimilate the small Chinese city into the country, painfully aware of the burgeoning communist movement engulfing China at the time. The city finally fell into Chinese hands in 1956 and was subsequently annexed. Portugal refused to formally recognise the annexation of Macau and still sees the city as occupied territory. However, the small nation has failed to rally support behind its claim on Macau and the Macau Question is still up in the air to this day.
As the fifties dragged into the sixties, Spanish influence in Portugal began to increase. The Portuguese viewed their ally's tremendous rise with glee and strengthened ties with the Spanish, hoping to gain the support of a world power in their claim on Macau. Communism had grown quite unpopular in portions of Portuguese society, particularly among politicians and business-owners, who feared similar communists to those who invaded Macau springing up in Portugal. The Republic co-opted Spain's anti-socialist laws and could often been found nipping at the heels of their ally in times of international tension or decrying the rise of socialists in Brazil.
In the early 70's, the Spanish began taking a keen interest in their own sphere of influence. In particular, Portugal. They played on the fears of Portuguese society with a secretive false-flag operation, in which the media, people and government were sent into a frenzy due to reports of socialists rioting in the streets of Lisbon and Porto. President Alejandro dos Santos, acting on behalf of the government, requested Spanish assistance in cracking down on the reds. The socialists were quickly put down but the Portuguese became extremely concerned at the large numbers of Spanish troops stationed in their two largest cities. After a month of high alert from the Spanish and Portuguese militaries, Alejandro dos Santos was invited to sign the Ibiza Treaty, that would assure preparedness and provide for mutual assistance civil unrest, disaster relief, and certain military operations between the two countries. Thus, the Iberian League was founded (though somewhat reluctantly by Portugal).
Since the signing of the Ibiza Treaty, Portugal has seen military action in Italy and several scandals have surfaced regarding the true loyalties of several politicians. Many in Portugal see the Iberian League as closer cooperation between Portugal and Spain but some politicians see it as invasive or even outright illegal. The current government, under Prime Minister Salvador Macedo and interim President Roberto Pacheco(Alejandro dos Santos allegedly died of a self-inflicted gun-wound six months before), have enthusiastically supported Spain and followed its anti-leftist doctrine to the tee. Members of the opposition party have decried the current administration as corrupt yet Prime Minister Macedo has continued polling high.
As of 1980, Portugal has not yet followed Spain into war but the army has been mobilised in preparation. Some within the Portuguese parliament have displayed their dissatisfaction with the current foreign policy, bemoaning the fact that their country is little more than a puppet state in the eyes of the world. Macedo, a popular figure in Portugal and Spain, has shouted the opposition to silence and will continue to follow the current policy. The dissatisfaction led to a narrowly won no-confidence vote and the government are currently drawing up the declaration of war against the Ethiopians, to the horror of their opponents. Macedo, however, is determined to take his slice of Africa in the coming war and refuses to allow his opponents any leeway in getting what is rightfully Portuguese.
"This just in: United States declares war on the state of Georgia, and not the government-less Republic of Georgia. Georgians everywhere confused, demand to know if Bush is pulling the strings."
I discussed it with Googer/Aaron and then this happened. Seeing as Portugal is so trapped under Spanish control, I can't imagine they'll be particularly important on the world stage but if I'm going to get back into PoW, I should do it with a country that can get involved in the action.
Anyway, bleh:
Nation: "The Second Portuguese Republic" or "Portugal"
Leader: Salvador Macedo (PM)
History: The Portuguese Republic, still fresh from a coup ending 800 years of monarchy, stayed neutral in the opening stages of the Great War. Anxiety over perceived German aggression in their colonies pushed the fledgling republic into the arms of the Allies and on the 9th of March 1916, war was declared by Germany and the Central Powers. Unlike other countries in Europe at the time, Portugal did not see heavy action in the trenches of Belgium and France. Several divisions were sent to France but the main Portuguese front lay in Africa, particularly in Portuguese Mozambique and southern Angola, where German spies instigated a native rebellion. As the war dragged on into the 20's, morale grew low and a mutiny in Mozambique saw Portugal relying heavily on the British for support in Africa.
When the war dragged to a halt in 1925, the small Iberian nation was under extreme pressure, both at home and in Africa. With debt eclipsed the economy, inflation smashing all records and a growing independence movement in Portuguese Africa, it was almost unsurprising when a military junta overthrew the government for the second time in 20 years. In 1934, the Junta cheaply sold Angola to the highest bidder (Germany) and the worlds first global empire breathed its last just two years later with the sale of Mozambique. The remnants of the Empire were slowly swallowed up in the decades that followed.
Democracy was restored in 1942 and the Second Portuguese Republic was declared shortly after the elections. The peaceful transition of power restored faith in democracy and many looked to the future with hope. Portuguese national pride had been severely hurt under military rule, with imperialists and republicans alike decrying the Junta's "careless sale of the empire". Portugal became protective of what it had left - Macau. Subsequent governments went to great lengths to assimilate the small Chinese city into the country, painfully aware of the burgeoning communist movement engulfing China at the time. The city finally fell into Chinese hands in 1956 and was subsequently annexed. Portugal refused to formally recognise the annexation of Macau and still sees the city as occupied territory. However, the small nation has failed to rally support behind its claim on Macau and the Macau Question is still up in the air to this day.
As the fifties dragged into the sixties, Spanish influence in Portugal began to increase. The Portuguese viewed their ally's tremendous rise with glee and strengthened ties with the Spanish, hoping to gain the support of a world power in their claim on Macau. Communism had grown quite unpopular in portions of Portuguese society, particularly among politicians and business-owners, who feared similar communists to those who invaded Macau springing up in Portugal. The Republic co-opted Spain's anti-socialist laws and could often been found nipping at the heels of their ally in times of international tension or decrying the rise of socialists in Brazil.
In the early 70's, the Spanish began taking a keen interest in their own sphere of influence. In particular, Portugal. They played on the fears of Portuguese society with a secretive false-flag operation, in which the media, people and government were sent into a frenzy due to reports of socialists rioting in the streets of Lisbon and Porto. President Alejandro dos Santos, acting on behalf of the government, requested Spanish assistance in cracking down on the reds. The socialists were quickly put down but the Portuguese became extremely concerned at the large numbers of Spanish troops stationed in their two largest cities. After a month of high alert from the Spanish and Portuguese militaries, Alejandro dos Santos was invited to sign the Ibiza Treaty, that would assure preparedness and provide for mutual assistance civil unrest, disaster relief, and certain military operations between the two countries. Thus, the Iberian League was founded (though somewhat reluctantly by Portugal).
Since the signing of the Ibiza Treaty, Portugal has seen military action in Italy and several scandals have surfaced regarding the true loyalties of several politicians. Many in Portugal see the Iberian League as closer cooperation between Portugal and Spain but some politicians see it as invasive or even outright illegal. The current government, under Prime Minister Salvador Macedo and interim President Roberto Pacheco(Alejandro dos Santos allegedly died of a self-inflicted gun-wound six months before), have enthusiastically supported Spain and followed its anti-leftist doctrine to the tee. Members of the opposition party have decried the current administration as corrupt yet Prime Minister Macedo has continued polling high.
As of 1980, Portugal has not yet followed Spain into war but the army has been mobilised in preparation. Some within the Portuguese parliament have displayed their dissatisfaction with the current foreign policy, bemoaning the fact that their country is little more than a puppet state in the eyes of the world. Macedo, a popular figure in Portugal and Spain, has shouted the opposition to silence and will continue to follow the current policy. The dissatisfaction led to a narrowly won no-confidence vote and the government are currently drawing up the declaration of war against the Ethiopians, to the horror of their opponents. Macedo, however, is determined to take his slice of Africa in the coming war and refuses to allow his opponents any leeway in getting what is rightfully Portuguese.
