Napoleon and Portugal

Napoleon's French Invasions in Portugal

Napoleon was a military genius. The speed of his troops took the enemy by surprise. Thanks to better and more abundant food, made possible by new agricultural techniques, the population had doubled in a few years, providing more soldiers. The industrial revolution had also contributed, bringing more iron to make cannons and rifles. Napoleon planned his battles meticulously.

1807

Napoleon demanded that Portugal close its port of Lisbon to the English, under threat of invasion and seizure of power. England, Portugal's ally since the 11th century, offered King João VI refuge in Brazil, offering protection during the crossing. The offer was tempting, but if he refused, the English threatened to bomb Lisbon and seize the fleet and the colonies, sources of economic wealth for Portugal (gold, diamonds, tobacco, sugar and slaves). The king also had the option of fighting Napoleon alongside the English, but the idea never crossed his mind, even though the French mercenary army, exhausted by constant conflict, could have been defeated...

Portugal, with its 3 million inhabitants, did not have a large enough population to defend and maintain its colonial empire. Lisbon was an important trading post in a deeply conservative country where the influence of the church was predominant. The country's wealth came not from creativity, innovation or long-term investment, but from the easy exploitation of the colonies.

29.11.1807

King João VI chose to "take refuge" in Brazil. This flight, far from being improvised, had been envisaged for three centuries as an option in the event of a serious crisis. The palaces of Mafra and Queluz were evacuated: carpets, paintings, crockery, clothes, jewellery, church silverware and the entire royal library (60,000 books) were taken. The king and his entourage set sail in around fifty boats, to the cries of the people who had remained in the streets. Before leaving, the king put up posters explaining that Napoleon's troops were on their way and that it would be pointless to shed blood in resistance. He also expressed his regret at not having been able to keep the peace despite all his efforts.

To ensure the survival of the monarchy, it would have been wise to disperse the royal family, but in the rush, this was not done, and three generations ended up in the same boat. The king took with him the treasure trove of riches: half of the money in circulation in Portugal, as well as diamonds. The people were impoverished and starving.

Life on the boat was miserable: the ships, hermetically sealed, resembled saunas under sail. With no running water, bathrooms or toilets, passengers had to cohabit with rats and other vermin. Food and drinking water quickly spoiled, forcing everyone to consume beer and wine. Scurvy, due to vitamin C deficiency, and flea infestations, aggravated by the lack of hygiene, made life on board unbearable. After two months, they arrived in Salvador, bald, dirty and wearing soiled clothes. The Brazilians were delighted with the arrival of their king.

The king's first action was to open up the ports, thereby encouraging the growth of trade. He ordered the construction of schools, universities, hospitals, factories and streets. Everything changed: health, architecture, culture, art and customs. The king, freed from the oppression of the nobility and the clergy, was happy and efficient. He became a popular king in Brazil, unlike in Portugal. The Brazilians, more hygienic and dynamic, contrasted with the Portuguese.

Two days after the king fled, the French invaded Lisbon. The Portuguese, fearing the reputation of "Fortress Napoleon", did not attempt any resistance, despite the fact that the starving and exhausted French army, made up of unambitious foreign mercenaries and led by a poor strategist, General Junot, could easily have been defeated.

The King of Spain, who also wanted to flee, was captured and had to abdicate.

In August 1808(Roliça, to the south of Óbidos, has a signposted walk starting near a tiled panel depicting the battle, commemorated every August. There is also an interpretation centre in Vimeiro).

In 1809The Linhas de Torres were built: 152 defence posts on a 48km line linking the Tagus to the ocean, forming a defensive loop around Lisbon.

In 1811The last French troops were driven out, allowing the king to return. However, he was so much freer and happier in Brazil that he did not return to Portugal until 1821, in tears and accompanied by only a third of his court.

In his memoirs, Napoleon wrote "foi o único que me enganou"..