The Social, Economic and Political Consequences of the Napoleonic Wars in Portugal
The involvement of Portugal in the Napoleonic war was due to its
refusal to close its ports to the British, as it had declared a
‘position of inviolable neutrality’ regarding the war. This led to the
occupation of Lisbon by the French army on the 1st December 1807. The
royal family, the government and members of the royal court all fled
to Brazil causing a profound shift in the traditional balance of power
between Brazil and Portugal. The status of Brazil was raised until it
made a separate kingdom equal to Portugal, diminishing the status of
Portugal since the power base was now in Brazil.
Initially, Portugal was able to capitalise on its neutral status as
trade routes were becoming relatively limited. In 1803 Portuguese
exports to England were worth more than 10 million escudos, and the
average worth of exports per year between 1800 and 1807 was 8 million
escudos. Imports were also high, and part of these imports was sold to
France and Spain.
In 1810 a treaty was signed which opened the ports of Brazil to trade
with Britain. Portugal was therefore cut out of the ‘trade triangle’
that it had previously monopolised. This meant that Portugal no longer
distributed Brazilian goods, and also ceased to supply Brazil to the
same extent. The economy suffered greatly because of this, for example
Portuguese exports of cotton fell to less than a tenth of the levels
previously exported.[1] A gradual shift towards Brazilian independence
from Portugal was started, although it did not happen for many years.
When Spain and Portugal decided to revolt against Napo...
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...ore moderately than
before) until he died in 1826.
In conclusion the period of time following the Napoleonic Wars was one
of great turmoil. The war left Portugal’s land damaged, the economy
unstable and the people restless. If the treaty allowing trade with
Brazil had not been signed, then it is feasible that Portugal could
have recovered much more quickly. As it was, however, the loss of
income at a time when Portugal needed money most desperately, was a
serious blow. If the wars had not occurred, and the royal family had
not fled to Brazil, then the style of absolutist governing would have
lasted much longer, though the shift to constitutionalism may have
eventually occurred anyway.
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[1] H.V Livermore; Portugal, a short history. Page 136
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2. Burns, Bradford E. . A History of Brazil: Second Edition. New York: Cornell University Press, 1980.
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