The anti-Iberian feelings of the Portuguese radical republicans, 1870-1910

Abstract

This article assesses the various projects devised by Portuguese federalism to stop the annexationist project which the Iberist proposal of the mid-nineteenth century entailed. Portuguese republicans drew up many federal and confederate projects which started from the assumption of defending individual rights and bringing into line the different social and territorial authorities which formed both Spain and Portugal. This meant recognizing that both nations were made up of organic entities (regions and states) from which a federal project, which would be the base for a Latin federation with European and international scope, was to be built. Portuguese federalism, adopting the approach of Comte´s philosophy, therefore intended to build a new peaceful international order which would respect the rights of peoples. This proposal was thus openly contrary to the Iberist project, which in the eyes of Portuguese federalism, represented Portugal being taken over by neighbouring Spain.