History of Portugal

Crises of the Nineteenth Century

In 1807 Portugal refused Napoleon's demand to accede to the Continental System of embargo against the United Kingdom; a French invasion under Marshal Junot followed, and Lisbon was captured on 1 December 1807. British intervention in the Peninsular War restored Portuguese independence, the last French troops being expelled in 1812. The war cost Portugal the province of Olivença, now governed by Spain. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, was the Portuguese capital between 1808 and 1821. When Brazil declared its independence from Portugal in 1822, Lisbon regained its status as the capital of Portugal.

Related Topics:
1807 - Napoleon - Continental System - United Kingdom - Marshal Junot - 1 December - Peninsular War - 1812 - Olivença - Rio de Janeiro - 1808 - 1821 - 1822

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The death of John VI in 1826 led to a crisis of royal succession. His eldest son, Peter I of Brazil briefly became Peter IV of Portugal, but neither the Portuguese nor the Brazilians wanted a unified monarchy; consequently, Pedro abdicated the Portuguese crown in favor of his seven-year-old daughter, Maria da Glória, on the condition that when of age she marry his brother, Miguel. Dissatisfaction at Pedro's constitutional reforms led the "absolutist" faction of landowners and the church to proclaim Miguel as king in February 1828. This led to the Liberal Wars in which Pedro, with British assistance, eventually forced Miguel to abdicate and go into exile in 1834, and placed his daughter on throne as Queen Maria II.

Related Topics:
John VI - 1826 - Peter I of Brazil - Peter IV of Portugal - Maria da Glória - Miguel - 1828 - Liberal Wars - 1834

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