How is it that Portuguese is able to continue expand itself post-ww2 without being called out for it?
My guess is that they are getting called out on it. Portugal is acting in a blatantly predatory fashion, waiting for nations to fall apart before swooping in and picking up chunks for themselves. They expanded their holdings in India during the Indian civil war, took several islands from Indonesia during the Indonesian civil war, and claimed towns in Spain during its second civil war.
The reason no real consequences has happened yet is because, in a weird way, its not worth it for anyone. The US won't do anything because all the new territory grabs are not in areas that America really care about (notice that Portugal is staying the hell out of Japan) and the US still prefers to keep Portugal around as a possible ally against the Soviets so they tolerate Portuguese annexation adventures...for now. Washington says a lot of disparaging remarks, but with no serious actions behind them.
Likewise, the Soviet Union sees Portugal as small fry and have much bigger worries with China, Western Europe, and their new rival the USA. Compared to Britain or France, who cares about some puny state in Iberia? (I'm guessing that they will change their mind on that later in the plot.) The Union will say that Portugal is just another imperialist state that will succumb to world communism but its not like they share a land border. The Soviets might send some communist agitators to the Federation every now and then but the Portuguese security forces are good at rooting out foreign agents so its mostly a waste of money.
Britain and other European powers are in no position to criticize Portugal during all the economic and societal troubles they're going through right now so they're keeping their mouths shut.
So for the time being, Portugal has a lot of freedom for territorial shenanigans. The opportunities will dry up in a few years so I don't blame Portugal for acting now while the iron is hot.
Good point, but to properly asses the Portuguese actions since WW2 and world reaction we need to both list its expansions and world reaction.
Note: this may include information on upcoming posts.
lPortuguese expansion since WW2 (by date of expansion)
1) Portuguese East Asia - occupied in 1945 but due to Indonesia war of independence and civil war only became international diplomatic issue at end of war during peace negotiations. Their future plus independence of Portuguese aligned Bali and Lombok were deferred by UN during peace talks due to inability of Indonesia, East Indonesia and south Molucs each having claim and refusing agree on compromise. Portuguese East Indies and dutch New Guinea were deferred for future negotiations. The favorable part for the Portuguese is that Portuguese East Indies were being integrated slowly into the federation, 1/4 of its population had moved to rest of federation and its standard of living was 2-3 better than any of its neighbors. Added to fact they had witnessed 10 years of peace and development while rest of firmer Dutch East Indies had been affected by war. There was no widespread support within Portuguese East Indies for Portuguese to leave (add to that strong security presence) So while communist China, and Soviets were prepared to get UN to sanction the federation the US by 1955 was willing to use its veto not because it liked federation but because it was a strategic partner in the fight against communism.
2) Macau - size doubled in last years of Chinese civil war. This was a diplomatic agreement between Portugal and nationalist China. In essence Portugal bought rest of Macau by giving nationalist China tens of millions of $ in weapons and ammunition. Both Portuguese made weapons and surplus WW2 weapons that was bought on market by the federation was given to nationalist China. While communist China objected to the treaty in the 1950s Portuguese federation occupation and annexation was recognized by many countries as legitimate. Now the federation also made sure it was supporting anti communism were possible. (More on that later)
3) Indian subcontinent - Portugal occupied several small enclaves around Goa at onset of the war by mutual agreement with Mysore who it provided with both political and military support in its fight against communist forces (Mysore also occupied and annexed several areas around it including northern Malarbar giving it sea access). In the early 1950s the federation sent its forces into kingdom of Baroda that owed much of its existence to Portuguese support both financially and militarily. So it decided to let the federation expand both Diu and Daman.
The subject of Portuguese presence in the Indian subcontinent was a very heated topic at the peace negotiations. Both Republic of india and Democratic Union of India were opposed to not only Portuguese gains but Portuguese presence. Fortunately for the Portuguese and to a lesser degree to French the two “Indias” also demanded baroda, Mysore and Hyderabad borders revert their 1946 position. This was opposed by the 3 countries.The portuguese and French were then able to form an alliance with the 3 Indian countries and both republic and democratic India were forced to back down. They then switched to force the Portuguese to revert to their original borders but the alliance held steady and Portuguese borders were recognized in the peace treaty.
4) Spanish Morocco, Spanish Sahara and Spanish Africa - another treaty between Portugal and another country. One that benefited both parties. This action /expansion actually the one that Portugal received the most flak over in both Europe, US and UN. One that was certain to result in sanctions or condemnation by UN. The only thing that saved the Portuguese “toucinho“ bacon was the outbreak of the Korean War.
therefore the Portuguese decided it needed to send a strong anti communism message. It sent a full division to fight in Korea. It’s navy including its air craft carrier were sent to support the Korean War.
Secondly it sent another division to Germany to support NATO deterrence against communism.
So we can say that Portuguese paid for its “conquests” in blood and sweat. Did all these actions resulting Portugal /Federation escape unscathed? No but it’s actions meant it gained some support and while its actions were frowned on they were not publicly condemned.
This of corse put the Portuguese and Morocco on direct path to conflict when morocco gained its independence from France. The resulting war between the two went federation’s way, together with strong Portuguese population in these regions resulted in the Portuguese ability to portray themselves as victim and gain much sympathy in the west but we’re condemned by communist countries and in Middle East.
5) Olivença - another territory gained in peace treaty following the Spanish “ 2nd civil war”. The war left Spain much smaller as several parts of it. (You know of Galicia, but there are others) gained their independence. Spain retaliation against the Portuguese as a result of its support for Galicia Declaration of Independence resulted in many Spanish border regions being occupied by Federation. As part of peace treaty these occupied regions including Badajoz were asked if they wished to stay part of Spain or join Portugal. This occurred at same time as revolting regions also voted. Every Portuguese occupied region voted overwhelmingly 80% + to stay part of Spain except Olivença which had special status to the federation since 1950 was more integrated into Portuguese economy than rest of Spain. they voted 60% to join Portuguese Federation. A huge shock to Spanish.
Lastly these would signify the last of Portuguese official expansion. Any future “re-alignment” happened by neighboring countries government aligning themselves to federation which by 1959 included Galicia, Guinea Boke, Lombok and Bali.