Why did Portugal remain neutral during world war 1?

Answer 1

Portugal was neutral for economic reason's. As its' Dictator "Antonia Salazar" was an "Oliarchiest", dedicated to the protection and the best interest's of the Countries & Empire's Elite..... This included; The Portugues Empire's hold in Africa, Large Aristocratic Land Holders at Home and in the Colonies.... Banking with both the Axis & Allies, Raw Material sales Important to Nazi Germany & The Allies alike, like "Tungsten" ( He played "both sides" very well in the previous two).... General Trade with Brazil, United States, and Britain. A very "Long History" dating back to the 13th Century of friendly dealings with Great Britain ( Britain helped save Portugal's Independnce twice; the first in the 1200's driving out Spanish Invader's and the second in the Napoleonic War's driving Spaniard's out again ). This advantageous relationship Portugal had with Britain would be stupid to throw away. Britain had a Treaty dating from the first time they drove out Spanish Invader's that allowed them to access the Azore Island's at anytime for a base ( this is the world's oldest active military treaty to date, still going strong today after nearly 800 years ).... Lisbon Portugal was indeed "the only" completely Open Port in all of Europe during The War due to its' Geographical Position" on The Continent, which could bring in previously unimagined profits....It was necessary for the Western Allies and The Axis to have a way of keeping tabs on one another by way of Spying of which Portugal and Lisbon in particular was an intencely good for....The infamous shooting down of a "commercial ( non-military )" flight of a DC-3, over The Bay of Biscay on its' way back to Britain by the Luftwaffe in June of 1943 was evidence of this. "This particular" Dutch Airliner had a reputation for handling the "Cloak & Dagger" types and was specifically targeted by the Luftwaffe twice previously before meeting its' end. The British Actor turned Patriotic Spy, Leslie Howard who was famous for his role's in "Gone with the Wind" and "The Petrified Forest" was one that was lost on this flight along with other notable espionage and business figures....Sorry for the long dissertation, I thought it best to be as descriptive, as possible. I hope I've answered this question of yours....Take care for now and thank you for being interested in History!!
Yes, Portugal, along with Spain, the other nation of the Iberian Peninsula, was neutral during WWII. The military had staged a coup d'etat and taken over the country in 1926, and Portugal, like Germany and Spain, was under the control of a right wing Dictatorship. In Portugal the strongman was Antonio Salazar, with his "Estado Novo" ("New State"). So the Portuguese government was sympathetic toward Germany and Italy, but realized that where they were, geographically, if they joined them in the war they would be among the first invaded by the Allies. Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, was a hotbed of espionage during the war, infested with spies from both sides.

Answer 2

well, I'm portuguese and I'm now studying ww1 at history and i can tell you that we were in the war and we were fighting side by side with the french and british :) we entered in 1916 and got out in the end of it ...

although our presence in the war wasn't great a war is a war :/

Answer 3

Portugal remained neutral in the second world war threatened as it was by its much larger fascist neighbour Spain. It did however provide a useful refuge and escape route for escaping Prisoners of War and those persecuted by the Nazis. It also served as base for espionage and intelligence gathering though not with the approval of the Portugese government as this would have compromised Portugal's neutrality.

Answer 4

Portugal did not remain neutral. Portugal entered the war in 1914 on the Allied side, but like Russia and Italy was forced to drop out before the war ended. The Miracle of Fatima allegedly took place in Portugal in 1917 after Portugal withdrew from the war.

Answer 5

they didn't want to get involved in confusion they wanted to stay away from trouble...

Answer 6

Portugal was neutral