Lusophone World
Lusitania
Donor
A Lusophone[1] World
The Portuguese influence in the world stage was greatly diminished in the 20th century. iOTL Portugal was one of Europe's least developed countries even so it continued to control a vast amount of territory spread over three continents as well as linked culturally and linguistically to South America's largest and strongest country. Proving that its presence and prominent impact throughout the world had outshone its small and humble beginnings. While well past its glory the small and backwards country was still able to maintain their control of over half a dozen countries in Africa and Asia till the mid 1970s through luck, political good fortune and sheer determination.
Portuguese misfortunes and lack of development had their roots prior to the 20th century and attempts by the Portuguese to correct the problems of the past had aggravated the economic and social problems even more. The ill fated 1st Republic (1910 - 1926) and subsequent dictatorship and "Estado Novo" (1926 -1930 & 1931 -1974) failed in modernizing and improving the lives of the Portuguese and those under their control to same level as their European peers. Hampering the development was the prolonged Colonial War (1960 - 1974) which only end following the 1974 revolution and overthrow of the Estado Novo.
Today the Portuguese language in spoken by over 270 million people and the official language of eight countries spread over four different continents. But due to lack of development all Lusophone countries standard of living are the lowest amongst their peers.
As an avid Portuguese history buff I have been biased in past about chances of substantial change in Portuguese circumstances during the 20th century and in the past I have concentrated in the pre-1900 era which I considered best chance for Portuguese revival. This all changed two years ago when I read a TL by Paulo both the in ASB and subsequently in Post-1900 forums regarding the revival of Portuguese fortunes in the 20th century. With Paulo's permission I took his premise of a different "progressive estado novo" with different leaders of the Dictatorship and Estado Novo who began the modernization of the country and "overseas provinces" prior to WWII into an modern country able to hold its own against those who sought dominance and control over the world. After two years I now present a new TL where the Lusophone do not wither but continue to shine brightly.
Note the TL is organized in decades each with several sections:
- Country - this section provides readers with an introduction of the country and its various regions;
- Politics - this section concentrates on the major political events that impacted the country and its people during the decade. It will also cover government programs and actions including major foreign involvements and treaties. Major political players and political reforms including elections are also covered;
- Portuguese Armed Forces - this section outlines the state of the Portuguese military, including reforms, structure and deployment as well as military innovations;
- Economy - this section will detail the economic issues and developments facing the country. It is organized into several major economic subsections;
- Health & Education - this section outlines the health & educational issues and developments facing the country;
- Security - this section delves into the security issues facing the country and the security apparatus that is implemented to keep the people "safe" and provide security to the country;
- Culture and Sports - this section provides a glimpse of the major cultural and sport accomplishments in the country;
- Foreign Affairs - this section outlines the country's diplomatic interaction with its Allies, neutral countries and those who wished harm to the country and its people;
- World - major world developments that had an impact to the Lusophone world;
The major sections of the TL are:
- The Republic
- 1920 - 1929 (Table of contents in link)
- 1930 - 1939 (Table of contents in link)
- 1940 - 1949 (Table of contents in link)
- 1950 - 1959 (Table of contents in link)
- 1960 - 1969 (Table of content in link)
- 1970 - 1979 (to be expanded)
Note as each chapter is added the links are updated above.
The 1st part of "The Republic" will be published on June 10 and then subsequent parts will be published every two weeks.
[1] Lusophones (Portuguese: lusófonos) are people who speak the Portuguese language, either as native speakers or as learners. Similarly, the Lusosphere or Lusophony (Portuguese: Lusofonia) is a community of people who are culturally and linguistically linked to Portugal, either historically or by choice. The idea of a Lusosphere is free of ethnic connotations, in that a Lusophone may not have any Portuguese ancestry at all. The Lusophone world is mainly a legacy of the Portuguese Empire, although Portuguese diaspora and Brazilian diaspora communities have also played a role in spreading the Portuguese language
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