The Oldest Ally
Britain and the Portuguese Connection, 1936-1941
Published on 17. November 1994
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-86193-227-6 (ISBN)
Description
Well-crafted, eloquently written, and its arguments about the primacy of strategy in British diplomatic thinking compelling. Breaks new historiographical ground. ALBION An account of British/Portuguese diplomatic relations between 1936 and 1941.
The Oldest Allyexamines Britain's relations with Salazar's Portugal in the overall context of British foreign and strategic policy in the crucial period from 1936 to 1941. Dr Stone explores in detail British efforts to counteract Axis influence in Portugal both before and during and Second World War; the place of Portugal in Britain's European diplomacy during the twelve months preceding the outbreak of war; the military and diplomatic relationshipin the context of non-intervention, appeasement and Portuguese neutrality; and the colonial, Atlantic and Far Eastern dimension, especially in the early years of the Second World War. This thoroughly researched and lucidly presented examination of an important but neglected area also sheds new light on such topics as the Spanish Civil War and colonial appeasement. It is a valuable addition to the literature on the `oldest alliance' - the Anglo-Portuguese relationship.
GLYN STONEis principal lecturer in international history at the University of the West of England, Bristol.
The Oldest Allyexamines Britain's relations with Salazar's Portugal in the overall context of British foreign and strategic policy in the crucial period from 1936 to 1941. Dr Stone explores in detail British efforts to counteract Axis influence in Portugal both before and during and Second World War; the place of Portugal in Britain's European diplomacy during the twelve months preceding the outbreak of war; the military and diplomatic relationshipin the context of non-intervention, appeasement and Portuguese neutrality; and the colonial, Atlantic and Far Eastern dimension, especially in the early years of the Second World War. This thoroughly researched and lucidly presented examination of an important but neglected area also sheds new light on such topics as the Spanish Civil War and colonial appeasement. It is a valuable addition to the literature on the `oldest alliance' - the Anglo-Portuguese relationship.
GLYN STONEis principal lecturer in international history at the University of the West of England, Bristol.
Reviews / Votes
Thoroughly researched... Dr Stone deserves congratulation for producing such a comprehensive and objective guide to this critical period in the Alliance's history. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW This excellent book deserves a wide readership. HISTORY Discards the usual economic and political reasons for an alliance... argues that strategic consideration enabled Britain to overlook Salazar's repressive regime and even the lack of any economic advantage... most useful for diplomatic historians. * CHOICE *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-86193-227-6 (9780861932276)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Origins of non-intervention in Spain; non-intervention diplomacy; countering the Axis in Portugal; the military dimension; origins of colonial appeasement; Portugal's African colonies and appeasement; the connection and pre-war diplomacy; countering the Axis in war-time Portugal; the Atlantic dimension; the Far Eastern context.