The role of Physicists in the «rebirth of a scientific movement» in Portugal during the inter war period

Abstract

The advent of Republic in 1910 brought important higher education reforms in Portugal. In spite of strong political and financial difficulties in the next two decades, Portuguese universities supported graduation studies of young physics teachers abroad. However these relevant initiatives Portuguese republican government was not successful in creating a national institution able to promote and funding the organization of scientific research. Only in 1929 the government was able to set up this kind of institution, the “National Board of Education” [Junta de Educação Nacional], with the aim of funding research centres in the universities, as well as of providing grants for students to continue their studies at advanced level both at home and abroad. In the thirties an important group of young researchers went on to study in universities and laboratories of European advanced scientific countries, where some of them got their PhD degree. In Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics the school more demanded was Paris University. During this period Curie’s laboratory received an important group of Portuguese students. After four years stay abroad, having established important international scientific links, back at home, some of these young scientists played an important role in their universities promoting a rebirth of a scientific movement. This lasted till the end of the Second World War, when a good number of them were dismissed from their positions because of their active opposition to Salazar’s regime. Arriving home having experienced living in cities with intense political activity, some of these young scientists demonstrated a strong political commitment against the dictatorship regime and supported important activity in scientific associations and cultural organizations. The study of the scientific, cultural and political activity of this group is the purpose of this communication.