Portuguese Restoration War

The Restoration War between Portugal and Spain began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668. This war marked the end of the Iberian Union, a time when Portugal and Spain were ruled together.

From 1640 to 1668, there were many small fights and a few bigger battles between Portugal and Spain. These fights happened partly because both countries were also fighting with other nations. Spain was busy with the Thirty Years' War until 1648 and the Franco-Spanish War until 1659. Portugal was fighting in the Dutch–Portuguese War until 1663.

This war helped the House of Braganza become Portugal’s new rulers. They replaced the House of Habsburg, which had been in charge since the 1580 succession crisis. This change brought Portugal back as its own country after many years under Spanish rule.

Events leading to revolution

When Philip II of Portugal (III of Spain) died in 1621, his son Philip III of Portugal (IV of Spain) took over and made changes that upset many Portuguese people. Taxes went up, important Portuguese leaders lost their power, and Spanish people took many jobs in Portugal’s government.

Spain also pulled Portugal into a big fight to stop the Dutch Republic from becoming independent during the Eighty Years' War. In response, the Dutch attacked many Portuguese colonies and places, which is called the Dutch–Portuguese War. Spain was busy defending its own lands in the Thirty Years War, so Portuguese lands in Asia and Brazil were not well protected.

All of this led to a big change on December 1, 1640. A group of leaders planned a revolution to take Portugal back. They removed the person in charge of Portugal for the Spanish king and put John, 8th Duke of Braganza in charge as King John IV of Portugal. The people quickly supported this change, and soon the whole country knew about it.

Preparations for war

After becoming king of Portugal, John IV worked hard to get ready for war. He formed a group called the "Council of War" to plan battles and another group called the "Junta of the Frontiers" to protect the borders and important cities.

He also made sure the forts across the country were strong and paid for it using local taxes. John reorganized the army and tried to make friends with England again. Even though he won a few small battles, it took many years before Spain finally agreed to recognize Portugal’s new rulers. The fighting went on for 28 years.

Context: relations among the European powers

Relations between France and Spain

Cardinal Richelieu, the chief adviser to King Louis XIII of France, knew that France was facing many challenges. Louis was fighting against Spain and dealing with rebellions inside France that were supported by Spain. Spain also controlled lands around France, such as Flanders and the Franche-Comté, and had troops ready to attack from Italy through Savoy.

Although Spain was known for its strong military, its power had weakened after the Thirty Years' War. Richelieu decided to make Spain focus on its own problems. To do this, he supported Portugal’s fight against Spain, hoping it would use up Spain’s troops and resources.

Relations between Portugal and France

In 1641, Portugal and France formed an alliance to work together against their shared enemy, Spain. This agreement lasted for eighteen years. Later, France broke this treaty and made peace with Spain on its own. However, near the end of the Portuguese Restoration War, the relationship improved again when the Portuguese king, Afonso VI of Portugal, married a French princess, Marie Françoise of Nemours.

Relations between Portugal and the Dutch Republic

In 1580, Portugal came under the rule of Spain. At the same time, the Dutch Republic was fighting for independence from Spain. Trade between Portugal and the Dutch stopped. The Dutch attacked Portuguese colonies around the world, taking control of places like half of Brazil and Elmina in Ghana.

When Portugal revolted against Spain in 1640, it was still fighting the Dutch. Even though Portugal and the Dutch now had the same enemy, the Dutch kept attacking Portuguese colonies, taking Angola, São Tomé, and Malacca in 1641. Portugal fought back and regained some of these places by the 1650s. Trade between Portugal and the Dutch restarted, but the Dutch continued attacking Portuguese colonies until 1663.

Relations between Portugal and England

During this time, England was dealing with its own civil war. Portugal had trouble with England because the English Parliament, which had taken power, did not support Portugal’s royal court. This tension continued until the Stuart kings returned to power in England.

After this, Portugal made a new alliance with England. In 1662, an important marriage was arranged between Charles II of England and Catherine of Braganza, the sister of Portugal’s king. This alliance helped Portugal gain support in its fight against Spain. With England now stronger, Spain was less willing to continue fighting, which helped bring peace.

War

The Cross of the Order of Christ and the Cross of Burgundy were the main symbols used by Portuguese and Spanish soldiers in battles.

The Portuguese Restoration War was mostly about small fights near the border and quick raids by horse soldiers. There were only five big battles in the twenty-eight years of fighting.

The war had three main parts:

• The first part (1640–1646) showed that Portugal could not be easily controlled by Spain.
• The second part (1646–1660) had many small fights while Spain focused on other wars in Europe.
• The third part (1660–1668) ended when Spain finally agreed to let Portugal be independent.

First stage: battles

Hoping to win quickly, Spain sent soldiers to Portugal, but they were slow. Portugal fought back but the war soon stopped moving forward.

Battle of Montijo

On 26 May 1644, Spanish soldiers tried to attack but were stopped by Portuguese leaders at the Battle of Montijo.

Scope of the war

Fighting happened in three places, but most was in the north near Galicia and in the middle between Portuguese Alentejo and Spanish Extremadura.

Attrition and corruption

Both sides were careful not to attack each other’s land. Fighting often meant burning fields, taking towns, and stealing animals. Soldiers sometimes left because they wanted rewards more than fighting.

Second stage: defensive standoff

The war cost a lot of money. Portugal could pay because of its trade with Asia and Brazil. The 1650s were quiet for fighting but important for making friends.

Third stage: Portuguese victory

After some unsure fights in 1662, Spain tried hard to win. But Portugal, with help from British soldiers, won important battles and made Spain agree to let Portugal be free.

Recapitulation

The five big battles of the war were:

• Battle of Montijo on 26 May 1644
• Battle of the Lines of Elvas on 14 January 1659
• Battle of Ameixial on 8 June 1663
• Battle of Castelo Rodrigo on 7 July 1664
• Battle of Montes Claros on 17 June 1665

Portugal won most of these battles. Peace was made with help from England by the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668.

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of Portuguese history

The Portuguese Restoration War was a long struggle between Portugal and Spain. It began in 1640 when Portuguese leaders took control from Spanish rule and lasted until 1668 when a peace treaty was signed.

During these years, there were many battles and changes in leadership. Portugal formed alliances with other countries like France and Sweden to help protect its independence. The war included important battles such as the Battle of Montijo in 1644 and the Battle of Montes Claros in 1665, where Portuguese forces won major victories. The war finally ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, allowing Portugal to keep most of its colonies and become an independent nation once more.

Results of the war

After the war, Portugal successfully regained its independence from Spain. This victory helped strengthen a sense of pride and national spirit among the Portuguese people.

The economy of Portugal began to grow, especially through trade. Important goods like tobacco, sugar, and salt were major parts of this trade. Later, the economy also grew with the help of trade in goods like wine and leather. The busy port city of Lisbon became a key center for these trades, influenced by partnerships with countries like England and the Netherlands.

Portugal also started to build stronger cultural ties with Western Europe, especially with France and England, moving away from its close ties with Spain. The fear of Spanish attacks helped keep the spirit of independence strong among the Portuguese. Even during difficult times, the colony of Macau stayed loyal to Portugal.