Chapter I
The Beginning
Portugal has had it's fair share of Glory and trouble over the years, however things began to take a sudden decline for the last few centuries of her existence. Eventually the Portuguese throne would fall down to this man, João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael de Bragança
Let's just call him King João VI of Brazil, Portugal, and the Algarves .
João became the King of Portugal following the death of his mother in 1816. João, however, continued to reside in Brazil which he had recently brought to the level of a Kingdom after the Napoleonic conflicts. This had consequences that would far surpass his wildest dreams, however the most he had to deal with was a liberal revolution taking place the city of Porto. It quickly spread throughout Portugal until a full scale revolt erupted in the city in which there was a demand for João and the entire Portuguese court to return to Portugal. João eventually complied and made his way back to Portugal leaving his son in Brazil who became it's Regent. Political turmoil continued and problems began to abound within the Portuguese Empire, Brazil which had been the center of the Empire for the past few years did not wish to return to principality status under Portugal. Brazil formally declared itself independent in 1822, with João's heir apparent becoming Brazil's first Emperor. João was outraged and removed Pedro (the heir apparent) from his line of succession and refused to recognize Brazil's independence. Nevertheless the nation remained independent and Portugal could due little to stop it, when João grew weak he restored his son to his rightful place as heir hoping that the Portuguese empire could be put back together again upon his death. His death, however, did not fix the empire.
Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and King Pedro IV of Portugal & Algarves
The Brazilians did not want to return to the Portuguese. Pedro had been an unpopular ruler inside Brazil, his accumulation of autocratic powers betrayed the liberals he claimed to support. This was when Pedro became King of Portugal before abdicating in favor of his daughter Maria. There was a catch, however. Maria would have to marry her uncle, Pedro's brother, Miguel upon turning to the ripe old age of 14. However, since Maria was only seven years old Pedro's sister Isabel took over as Regent for Portugal. This was a solution that was agreeable to all parties in Portugal, including Miguel. Miguel, however, was not a patient man.
After just a short while after Miguel's appointment inside Portugal he began to remove liberals from the government inside Portugal and those who were loyal to Pedro, his sister, and his daughter. Eventually the liberals began to rebel, but they were quickly defeated and fled to England. Of all of the Portuguese territories only the Azores remained loyal towards Pedro and his government. The United States and Mexico were quick to recognize this man as the new face of Portugal.
King Miguel I of Portugal
Great Britain, France, Spain, the Papacy, and many others had entirely different opinions about the coup. Miguel quickly launched a squadron of ships to take the Azores, but he was soundly defeated. The Brazilian Emperor soon abdicated the Brazilian throne to his son and began to make his way towards Portugal. Pedro would lay siege to Porto and attempt an invasion of the Algarves, which succeeded. From here he went to take over Lisbon where he quickly began ridding the city of Miguel's supporters among the state and the church and proclaimed Maria Queen of Portugal, with himself as regent. From here Portugal along with Spain, France, and Great Britain agreed to work together to get rid of Dom Miguel of Portugal and Don Carlos of Spain. This very act ended up securing Miguel's surrender and subsequent exile. With all this put behind him, Dom Pedro finally was at peace and died in quiet retirement. This left Queen Maria II of Portugal and the Algarves in complete control of the country.
Maria's life at been a turbulent one, but now she was Queen and in control of her own country. The first the that Maria did when she became Queen was begin looking for a husband, something that she found inside Auguste, The Duke of Leuchtenberg. They were, however, married for but two months before Aguste died. Left without a husband yet again Maria began looking elsewhere. This time she found a husband inside Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The two were wed and Maria became pregnant with their first child. Their first child, Peter, was born on January 1 of the year 1836, marking Ferdinand's ascension to the throne as King of Portugal and the Algarves.
King Ferdinand II of Portugal and the Algarves
Ferdinand oversaw a Portuguese Empire with territories stretching from Europe, to Africa, and even India with extensive land holdings. Still, the Portugal of today was a far cry from the past empire that was amongst the most powerful and prestigious in all of the world in terms of maritime trade. The time where Portugal had ruled the seas and mastered trade had come and gone, but perhaps it would come again? Ferdinand began reorganizing the taxes within the empire and started invest fully within educating and promoting safety among the populous.
Ferdinand, however, was weary of Spain. While the Spanish had risen far higher than Portugal and fallen far further than them, they were still powerful enough to swallow Portugal if necessary. What was even more distressing to Ferdinand was the fact that the Spanish had significant influence over Mexico to set them at odds with the United States. The very thing seemed like a foolish thing for Mexico to do of it's own free will given the power of that nation. However, for Spain to convince it to do so must mean there is, perhaps, also a Spanish nation intent on recapturing it's former glory. Russia, however, was more than powerful enough to go against the weakening Ottoman Empire.
Ferdinand could live with this quite easily, however news soon reached Portugal that France was one it's way to war yet again. Ferdinand let out a heavy sigh of relief learning that the assault was on the African nation of Tunisia. Ferdinand had hoped that they would have more than enough troubles there to keep them busy. Still it was a vain hope, so Ferdinand looked inwardly towards his people. Ferdinand moved his focus towards re-establishing proper education reform. To do this he needed to completely introduce entirely new ideas into Portuguese society. These ideas would later collectively become known as Positivism.
Ferdinand also wanted to expand Portuguese lands immediately. Something that would be of a particular boon to Portugal would be to take out the Zulu people who had resisted the British Empire so well. While the Portuguese army began to march it was the Zulu who surprised Ferdinand. They had come to Portugal seeking help against the British! This simply would not do, Ferdinand wanted conquest, not peace, with the savages. Needless to say, it was rejected.
Still, before war could fully be made another state inside South Africa came to Ferdinand seeking aid against the British, this time it was the state of Oranje. This time Ferdinand accepted the offer, there would be no point in taking out an ally inside the region. While in the case of the Zulu, taking them out would increase prestige against the British, something Ferdinand wanted greatly. Oranje was welcomed within the Portuguese Empire's list of alliances. Shortly following this, the Netherlands also requested an alliance. It would appear as though Ferdinand had become quite popular among the world. This offer would be accepted as well.
Just as Ferdinand was about to order war against the Zulu, another thing appeared before him to distract him from that goal. This time it was a group of Catholic clergy complaining that the Portuguese people like their drink far too much. While Ferdinand did not care to even bother with such things, he quickly supported a temperance movement put forward by the clergy. Immediately drinking alcohol became viewed as a sin and the movement began to gain support. While this would have no influence what so ever if Ferdinand were to have a drink, it gave headaches towards those who continued to drink despite this rampant increase in moralism.
Finally, with all this behind him, Ferdinand made a push for war against the Zulu.
The Zulu were a proud people in the southern reaches of the African continent. Due to their superior skills, maneuverability, and mastery of the terrain they had outwitted the British on more than one occasion. Their great King, Shaka of the Zulu, had passed on the Zulu mantle of leadership to his half brother, Dingane.
Dingane began his long campaigns of uprooting the British who dare settled in his lands often leading to military skirmishes with the British. Ferdinand hopes to completely crush the savages with a small invasion force of just 3000 men. The invasion began after the total collapse of the once large 27,000 thousand man army. Now, there just 3000 remaining protecting the Zulu lands. The exact cause of the disappearance of much of the Zulu's martial might has been put to much debate, where possibilities range from disease to full scale civil war. Regardless of the reason, the invasion begins.
Despite what Ferdinand had expected, the Zulu did not stay within their lands as the invading force made it's way down Mozambique, but rather invaded the Portuguese holdings there. The Zulu charged with everything they had to take the fight to the colonial forces, and even though their weapons were not European, they terrified the populous there. The Zulu were a force to be feared.
Never the less, an engagement occurred between 3000 well supplied and armed Europeans against a similarly sized Zulu force. Fighting was fierce, but inconclusive. The Zulu retreated back towards their lands and the Portuguese pursued. Following their victory the Zulu quickly regrouped and another pitched battle occurred around what the Zulu call "Ulundi". There the Zulu were beaten yet again forcing them to withdraw. This time Dingane would be the victim of a martial coup for his lack of success. A new attack began to remove the Portuguese from Zulu land. This time the Zulu would be decisively beaten. They retreated and made three more attacks, in vain, to relieve their territories. After that there were no more battles with the Zulu. The Portuguese simply mopped up the remaining territories.
Ferdinand was thrilled with the overall success of the Campaign and organized a widespread celebration within Lisbon. The annexation of the Zulu had brought Portugal right to the British border sending a clear message to the British, and his first cousin Victoria. Despite cries from many of the conservatives within Lisbon that such an action would make the Portuguese appear hostile towards the British, Ferdinand could do little but revel in his success, the map of Africa had been redrawn.
Still, not all the glory remained with the captured territories in the Zulu. In fact, the Portuguese colony of Angola had become the pinnacle of success within the colonies. They had become, for all sense and purposes a European province, no longer being a colony. News of such success spreading so soon after the defeat of the Zulu was a great boon to Portuguese prestige and catapulted them to the forefront of European society
Just as Ferdinand had finally become happy with the world, the nation of France was brutally attacked by Spain after the French had gotten into a war with Prussia over the Rhine. The King of Spain looked towards Portugal for assistance. The question of intervening in the war against France. The question was weighed in Lisbon. After two days of debate the issue was settled. Portugal was going to war.
The Beginning
Portugal has had it's fair share of Glory and trouble over the years, however things began to take a sudden decline for the last few centuries of her existence. Eventually the Portuguese throne would fall down to this man, João Maria José Francisco Xavier de Paula Luís António Domingos Rafael de Bragança
Let's just call him King João VI of Brazil, Portugal, and the Algarves .
João became the King of Portugal following the death of his mother in 1816. João, however, continued to reside in Brazil which he had recently brought to the level of a Kingdom after the Napoleonic conflicts. This had consequences that would far surpass his wildest dreams, however the most he had to deal with was a liberal revolution taking place the city of Porto. It quickly spread throughout Portugal until a full scale revolt erupted in the city in which there was a demand for João and the entire Portuguese court to return to Portugal. João eventually complied and made his way back to Portugal leaving his son in Brazil who became it's Regent. Political turmoil continued and problems began to abound within the Portuguese Empire, Brazil which had been the center of the Empire for the past few years did not wish to return to principality status under Portugal. Brazil formally declared itself independent in 1822, with João's heir apparent becoming Brazil's first Emperor. João was outraged and removed Pedro (the heir apparent) from his line of succession and refused to recognize Brazil's independence. Nevertheless the nation remained independent and Portugal could due little to stop it, when João grew weak he restored his son to his rightful place as heir hoping that the Portuguese empire could be put back together again upon his death. His death, however, did not fix the empire.
Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and King Pedro IV of Portugal & Algarves
The Brazilians did not want to return to the Portuguese. Pedro had been an unpopular ruler inside Brazil, his accumulation of autocratic powers betrayed the liberals he claimed to support. This was when Pedro became King of Portugal before abdicating in favor of his daughter Maria. There was a catch, however. Maria would have to marry her uncle, Pedro's brother, Miguel upon turning to the ripe old age of 14. However, since Maria was only seven years old Pedro's sister Isabel took over as Regent for Portugal. This was a solution that was agreeable to all parties in Portugal, including Miguel. Miguel, however, was not a patient man.
After just a short while after Miguel's appointment inside Portugal he began to remove liberals from the government inside Portugal and those who were loyal to Pedro, his sister, and his daughter. Eventually the liberals began to rebel, but they were quickly defeated and fled to England. Of all of the Portuguese territories only the Azores remained loyal towards Pedro and his government. The United States and Mexico were quick to recognize this man as the new face of Portugal.
King Miguel I of Portugal
Great Britain, France, Spain, the Papacy, and many others had entirely different opinions about the coup. Miguel quickly launched a squadron of ships to take the Azores, but he was soundly defeated. The Brazilian Emperor soon abdicated the Brazilian throne to his son and began to make his way towards Portugal. Pedro would lay siege to Porto and attempt an invasion of the Algarves, which succeeded. From here he went to take over Lisbon where he quickly began ridding the city of Miguel's supporters among the state and the church and proclaimed Maria Queen of Portugal, with himself as regent. From here Portugal along with Spain, France, and Great Britain agreed to work together to get rid of Dom Miguel of Portugal and Don Carlos of Spain. This very act ended up securing Miguel's surrender and subsequent exile. With all this put behind him, Dom Pedro finally was at peace and died in quiet retirement. This left Queen Maria II of Portugal and the Algarves in complete control of the country.
Maria's life at been a turbulent one, but now she was Queen and in control of her own country. The first the that Maria did when she became Queen was begin looking for a husband, something that she found inside Auguste, The Duke of Leuchtenberg. They were, however, married for but two months before Aguste died. Left without a husband yet again Maria began looking elsewhere. This time she found a husband inside Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The two were wed and Maria became pregnant with their first child. Their first child, Peter, was born on January 1 of the year 1836, marking Ferdinand's ascension to the throne as King of Portugal and the Algarves.
King Ferdinand II of Portugal and the Algarves
Ferdinand oversaw a Portuguese Empire with territories stretching from Europe, to Africa, and even India with extensive land holdings. Still, the Portugal of today was a far cry from the past empire that was amongst the most powerful and prestigious in all of the world in terms of maritime trade. The time where Portugal had ruled the seas and mastered trade had come and gone, but perhaps it would come again? Ferdinand began reorganizing the taxes within the empire and started invest fully within educating and promoting safety among the populous.
Ferdinand, however, was weary of Spain. While the Spanish had risen far higher than Portugal and fallen far further than them, they were still powerful enough to swallow Portugal if necessary. What was even more distressing to Ferdinand was the fact that the Spanish had significant influence over Mexico to set them at odds with the United States. The very thing seemed like a foolish thing for Mexico to do of it's own free will given the power of that nation. However, for Spain to convince it to do so must mean there is, perhaps, also a Spanish nation intent on recapturing it's former glory. Russia, however, was more than powerful enough to go against the weakening Ottoman Empire.
Ferdinand could live with this quite easily, however news soon reached Portugal that France was one it's way to war yet again. Ferdinand let out a heavy sigh of relief learning that the assault was on the African nation of Tunisia. Ferdinand had hoped that they would have more than enough troubles there to keep them busy. Still it was a vain hope, so Ferdinand looked inwardly towards his people. Ferdinand moved his focus towards re-establishing proper education reform. To do this he needed to completely introduce entirely new ideas into Portuguese society. These ideas would later collectively become known as Positivism.
Ferdinand also wanted to expand Portuguese lands immediately. Something that would be of a particular boon to Portugal would be to take out the Zulu people who had resisted the British Empire so well. While the Portuguese army began to march it was the Zulu who surprised Ferdinand. They had come to Portugal seeking help against the British! This simply would not do, Ferdinand wanted conquest, not peace, with the savages. Needless to say, it was rejected.
Still, before war could fully be made another state inside South Africa came to Ferdinand seeking aid against the British, this time it was the state of Oranje. This time Ferdinand accepted the offer, there would be no point in taking out an ally inside the region. While in the case of the Zulu, taking them out would increase prestige against the British, something Ferdinand wanted greatly. Oranje was welcomed within the Portuguese Empire's list of alliances. Shortly following this, the Netherlands also requested an alliance. It would appear as though Ferdinand had become quite popular among the world. This offer would be accepted as well.
Just as Ferdinand was about to order war against the Zulu, another thing appeared before him to distract him from that goal. This time it was a group of Catholic clergy complaining that the Portuguese people like their drink far too much. While Ferdinand did not care to even bother with such things, he quickly supported a temperance movement put forward by the clergy. Immediately drinking alcohol became viewed as a sin and the movement began to gain support. While this would have no influence what so ever if Ferdinand were to have a drink, it gave headaches towards those who continued to drink despite this rampant increase in moralism.
Finally, with all this behind him, Ferdinand made a push for war against the Zulu.
The Zulu were a proud people in the southern reaches of the African continent. Due to their superior skills, maneuverability, and mastery of the terrain they had outwitted the British on more than one occasion. Their great King, Shaka of the Zulu, had passed on the Zulu mantle of leadership to his half brother, Dingane.
Dingane began his long campaigns of uprooting the British who dare settled in his lands often leading to military skirmishes with the British. Ferdinand hopes to completely crush the savages with a small invasion force of just 3000 men. The invasion began after the total collapse of the once large 27,000 thousand man army. Now, there just 3000 remaining protecting the Zulu lands. The exact cause of the disappearance of much of the Zulu's martial might has been put to much debate, where possibilities range from disease to full scale civil war. Regardless of the reason, the invasion begins.
Despite what Ferdinand had expected, the Zulu did not stay within their lands as the invading force made it's way down Mozambique, but rather invaded the Portuguese holdings there. The Zulu charged with everything they had to take the fight to the colonial forces, and even though their weapons were not European, they terrified the populous there. The Zulu were a force to be feared.
Never the less, an engagement occurred between 3000 well supplied and armed Europeans against a similarly sized Zulu force. Fighting was fierce, but inconclusive. The Zulu retreated back towards their lands and the Portuguese pursued. Following their victory the Zulu quickly regrouped and another pitched battle occurred around what the Zulu call "Ulundi". There the Zulu were beaten yet again forcing them to withdraw. This time Dingane would be the victim of a martial coup for his lack of success. A new attack began to remove the Portuguese from Zulu land. This time the Zulu would be decisively beaten. They retreated and made three more attacks, in vain, to relieve their territories. After that there were no more battles with the Zulu. The Portuguese simply mopped up the remaining territories.
Ferdinand was thrilled with the overall success of the Campaign and organized a widespread celebration within Lisbon. The annexation of the Zulu had brought Portugal right to the British border sending a clear message to the British, and his first cousin Victoria. Despite cries from many of the conservatives within Lisbon that such an action would make the Portuguese appear hostile towards the British, Ferdinand could do little but revel in his success, the map of Africa had been redrawn.
Still, not all the glory remained with the captured territories in the Zulu. In fact, the Portuguese colony of Angola had become the pinnacle of success within the colonies. They had become, for all sense and purposes a European province, no longer being a colony. News of such success spreading so soon after the defeat of the Zulu was a great boon to Portuguese prestige and catapulted them to the forefront of European society
Just as Ferdinand had finally become happy with the world, the nation of France was brutally attacked by Spain after the French had gotten into a war with Prussia over the Rhine. The King of Spain looked towards Portugal for assistance. The question of intervening in the war against France. The question was weighed in Lisbon. After two days of debate the issue was settled. Portugal was going to war.
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