Abstract

REIS, Bruno Cardoso. Portugal and the Small Powers in the First World War (1914-1918). Relações Internacionais [online]. 2014, n.42, pp.35-61. ISSN 1645-9199.

Can a weak small power like Portugal in 1914 have some impact on a large-scale and high intensity conflict such as the First World War? Can we learn something about the dynamics of Portuguese intervention in the First World War by comparing it with other small powers involved in the war? The article’s answer to both these questions is yes; despite being aware of the seeming paradox that is to claim that small powers can have an impact in a major war. By analysing the participation of Portugal in the First World War in a comparative perspective helps us escape a debate simply in terms of who among Portuguese politicians of the time is to blame for the high cost and low return of Portuguese intervention. As well as to argue that greater attention to autonomy and the impact of small and medium powers is something missing in the ongoing review of how IR analyses the First World War.

Keywords : First World War; Portugal; Belgium; Serbia.

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