Iberian Union - What if Portugal and Spain United?

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Portugal and Spain share a common history to some degree. Spanish and Portuguese are both Romance languages like Catalan, Galician and Asturian, all spoken in the Iberian peninsula.

The Portuguese language and Galician languages evolved from the medieval Galician-Portuguese when the County of Portugal separated from the Kingdom of León by becoming the Kingdom of Portugal. On the other hand, the Galician language has become increasingly influenced by the Castilian language since Galicia's incorporation into the Crown of Castile as a dependent Kingdom of León.

The identities of both modern Spain and Portugal developed during the experience of the Reconquista.[citation needed] In 1512, Ferdinand II of Aragon conquered the Kingdom of Navarre bringing the territories of what would become known as modern Spain under a common ruler. However Portugal remained an independent kingdom, competing with Spain (Castile) in colonial expansion. To avoid conflict, the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the world into Portuguese and Castilian hemispheres of influence.

The coat of arms of the Habsburgs included Portugal between Castile and Aragon
As a result of the disappearance of Sebastian I of Portugal at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, Philip II of Spain exerted his dynastic rights and used Castilian troops to overcome the rival pretender.[citation needed] The national poet of Portugal Luís de Camões opposed Philip, but had himself written some sonnets in Spanish (bilingualism was then common in both courts).

In 1581, Philip became Philip I of Portugal, joining both crowns into the most extended empire in history up to that time. The Spanish Habsburgs (Philip III of Spain and II of Portugal, Philip IV of Spain and III of Portugal) ruled what has later been called the Iberian Union, a personal union of different kingdoms, including Portugal (with its colonies), Castile (with its colonies), and Aragon. In 1640, the duke of Bragança gathered those restless in Portugal with the support of Cardinal Richelieu of France. His rebellion succeeded and he became the John IV of Portugal. The North African city of Ceuta decided to leave the crown of Portugal and remain under the Spanish king

In 1801, the Portuguese city of Olivença was occupied by Spain and passed to Spanish sovereignty as Olivenza. Portugal has never made a formal claim to the territory after the Treaty of Vienna decided that Spain should terminate its occupation of the city, which Spain ignored nor has it acknowledged the Spanish sovereignty over Olivenza. There is no common definition of the border in the area.

It was José Marchena who, in the 18th century, gave this doctrine a progressive, federal and republican tone in l'Avis aux espagnols.[citation needed] In the Liberal Triennium (1820–1823), the secret liberal organizations tried to spread Iberism in Portugal, to create seven confederated republics, five in Spain and Lusitania Ulterior and Lusitania Citerior in Portugal.

In the later Revolutionary Sexennium, the movement reached its apogee; General Prim was also in favour of uniting the two countries. After his murder, the First Spanish Republic (1873–1874) seemed the right moment for the union given its federalism.[citation needed]

In the point of view of the 19th century conservative restorations in Spain and Portugal, the "iberisms" played the role of agents of social change with republican and revolutionary stances, thus threatening the stability of the peninsular nations.

The monarchic flag of Portugal (1832–1910)
In the 20th century, Iberism melted into the ideologies of some leftist currents such as the anarchist Federación Anarquista Ibérica and the Federación Ibérica de Juventudes Libertarias.

The nationalistic dictatorships of Portugal and Francoist Spain shared many political similarities and some degree of mutual support but both countries were said to live "back to back".

Currently no party represented in either country's parliament has the goal of Iberism but both countries joined the European Economic Community in 1986 and their borders and those of all other countries signing the Schengen accord have been opened since then. The Spanish party Izquierda Republicana has defended 'Iberian Federalism' as political structure for the state.

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[JeOrtiz]

Actually your flag designs should incorporate the pre republic Portugal which is blue and white since Spain ( and Pre-republic Portugal) are a monarchy.

[emanuelcruz]

For me either D or F. Both are well represent Portugal and Spain, with the tradicional crest that both nations have, the blue colour of the old portuguese flag in combine with the Cross of Borgonha representing Spain. But F represent both has well with the Cross of Borgonha (Spain) combine with the Cross of the Order of Christ ( Portugal) is a simple but very symbolic flag and both Crosses are Red in term of colour so is not disproportional. But if i had to choice between D and F, it would be D.

[Lacteagalaxia]

No deja de ser un experimento " romántico" lo ideal sería juntarse de igual a igual incluso tendríamos de lejos más sitios UNESCO del mundo pero incluso hoy día a veces España y Portugal han vivido de espaldas una de otra desde su comienzo es una lastima

[luisgoncalosilva]

D is my favorite and C, E and F are also good

[TheWishmasterpt]

O problema não e o povo mad sim os politicos que iriam perder o tacho 😂

[electrochocc]

Some variant of design C and E, without any monarchic symbol. Just the green, red and yellow stripes with a new symbol

[Torreoscura]

El orgullo impide esto. La gente está muy apegada a sus identidades como para un cambio así, aunque les hiciese más prósperos.

[Esport]

E And D are the cleanest flages are like theme ❤

[bernaldelcastillo]

Portugal & Spain united? Pie in the sky!

[Ezerox]

Muy fan de que haya unificado Euskadi y Navarra con La Rioja y haya puesto la Ikurriña de bandera XDD eso no va a pasar... Me gustaría que pasara esa unión, pero así no va a suceder

[mariaantonietapicarra]

What a crazy idea! The time of the Philips was Portugal's worst nightmare.

[flipadito]

A ideia é boa mas impossível de se pôr em prática! Ambas as constituições definem o seu território de forma clara. Os portugueses nunca iam aceitar um rei espanhol ou perder autonomia. No entanto seria óptimo para as pessoas quando elas conseguissem passar as questões ideológicas à frente.

[puraLusa]

As a portuguese I can safely say this would be the best option.
Couldn't care less where the capital would be or flag, but the salaries and overall wealth would mean better living standards for everyone.
Why divide people when we are so similar? It served the rulling class not the people and for me separarism is opressive.
As for most of my compatriots: too many centuries of division from that rulling class made it quite impossible as now people feel some kind of patriotic duty to live seperate 🤷‍♀️ very hard to explain to them that it would be better for everyone.

[Daphne]

Me personally I like the flag with the letter "E"

[mimosomim]

Um "filho" do Miguel de Vasconcelos ou da Mântua.

[DeSousaCarrLos]

It happened before but it didn't worked out well for us

[TheRealuTAL]

Uma união entre Portugal, Espanha, Brazil, Angola e Timor ... 👉👈.

[joaquimferreira]

Problably flag A or C, but A would have to be inverted, portugal on the left like on the map

[Uboat]

Esquece lá isso. Impossível. Decididamente

[diogosantos]

Honestly I'm ok with the Iberian union as long Spain stops being a monarchy, and the new country has a new name...perhaps " Iberia" or "Lusitania". I'm saying this because having only a faction determine the future of the whole area has been the root of many problems for generations.
If such a thing would happen again both Portugal and other parts of the new union should have a voice and equal representation... for example Catalunha.

F is my favorite version of the flags you made.