Peninsular War

The Peninsular War (1808–1814) (known as War of Independence in Spain and as French Invasions in Portugal) was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars, fought in the Iberian Peninsula with Spanish, Portuguese, and the British forces fighting against Napoleonic French.

Consequences in Portugal

The Peninsular War signified the traumatic entry of Portugal into contemporary age. The transference of the Court to Rio de Janeiro initiated the process of Brazil's state-buiding which, in due time became independent. The skilful evacuation by the Portuguese Fleet of more than 15,000 people from the Court, Administration, and Army was a bonus for Brazil and a blessing in disguise for Portugal, as it liberated the energies of the country. The Governors of Portugal nominated by the absent king had a scant impact on account of successive French invasions and British occupation.

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The role of the War Minister Miguel Pereira Forjaz was unique. Wellington held him as "the only statesman in the Peninsula". With the Portuguese Staff, he managed to build a regular army of 55,000 men and a further 50,000 as national guard milicias and a variable number of home guard ordenanças, perhaps totalling more than 100,000. In a letter to Baron Stein, the Russia Court Minister, 1812, Forjaz recommended a "scorched earth" policy and to trade time for space as the only way to defeat a Napoleonic Invasion.

Related Topics:
Miguel Pereira Forjaz - Portuguese Staff

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The impact a nation at arms in Portugal was the equivalent of the French Revolution, as a new class, tried, disciplined, and experienced by war against the French Empire was to assert Portuguese independence. Marshall Beresford was retained after 1814 as the commander of Portugal's Army ( and some 160 officers) , a sort of proconsul as the king remained in Brazil. Thw whole Portuguese politics hinged on the project of a Luso-Brazilian United Kingdom, the African colonies supplying slaves, the Brazils manufactures and Portugal the trade. By 1820, all this became untenable. The Portuguese Peninsular war officers expelled the British officers and began the liberal revolution at Oporto August, 24. The building of liberal institutions was consolidated only after a Civil War in 1832-34.

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