Beginning of Portuguese neutrality in Asia

Debate on the Portuguese-French and Portuguese-English alliance (1669-1672)

Abstract

The study deals with the attitude of the members of the Portuguese political elite towards the considered triple alliance of Portugal, France and England against the Dutch Republic, about which diplomatic negotiations took place in the years 1669–1672. It summarizes and analyzes their arguments, presented in the political debate, and places them in the wider context of Portuguese foreign policy. At the same time, it analyzes the consequences of this debate for the future of the Estado da Índia. Ultimately, the Portuguese Crown decided to stay away from the Anglo-French alliance, confirming the rise in importance of your South Atlantic possessions at the expense of the Estado da Índia. The monopoly policy was replaced by the policy of neutrality. We can therefore talk about the rationalization of Portuguese foreign policy towards Asia. However, it was forced by external circumstances, as the mentality of the Portuguese political elite was changing only slowly and was still largely stuck in the past.