Neutral powers during World War II
Continent
Ireland – The policy of Irish neutrality during World War II was adopted by the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) at the instigation of Éamon de Valera, the Taoiseach (head of government) upon the outbreak of hostilities in Europe. It was maintained throughout the conflict, in spite of several German air raids (understood to be by aircraft that missed their intended targets in Britain or Northern Ireland) and attacks on Ireland's shipping fleet by Allies and Axis alike. De Valera refrained from joining either the Allies or Axis powers.  Portugal – Portugal was officially neutral during World War II. However, it maintained a close relationship with the UK, due to the alliance it had for the last six hundred years, which is the longest lasting military alliance in history. The Estado Novo sought neutrality in order to keep Spain neutral and prevent it from joining the Axis. Portugal allowed the United States to use a secret military base at Santa Maria Airport in the Azores through a military agreement signed on November 28, 1944. This violated its neutrality and rendered Portugal non-belligerent on the Allied side. Colonies of Portugal: Angola Cape Verde Portuguese Guinea Portuguese India Macau Mozambique São Tomé and Príncipe Portuguese Timor (Occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945)  Spain Initially holding to formal neutrality, once Italy entered the war in June 1940 Francisco Franco switched Spain to the status of "non-belligerent" and proceeded to occupy Tangiers. From June 1940 onward, and until February 1941, the Francoist regime was greatly tempted to interventionism. Prominent Germanophile Ramón Serrano Suñer had great ascendancy in the government. However, meetings with German officials, including the meeting between Franco and Hitler in Hendaye on 23 October 1940, did not bring formal entry of Spain into the war.
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