From ‘A history of Portugal, the rise and fall and rise of a Merchant Empire’ second edition.
When one looks into the first half of the 18th Century for Portugal, we can see many differences to what she had been before and what she is now. The differences all centre on one year though, as the course of her History takes a dramatic change. For in 1724, unknown by virtually everyone. A treaty was signed with Bourbon France, forming an alliance between the two powers and giving Portugal custody of the Island of Malta. Portuguese officials, from what surviving documents from the period tell us that the decision was not made lightly, as they had much to consider, but in the end it was agreed that a strong partner was needed to combat English and Dutch Colonial might and France truly was the strongest European Power. The two sides complimented each other well, France has huge reserves of manpower and great wealth, being able to capitalise on Portuguese mercantile weakness during the last few decades of unrest. Portugal brought to the partnership the potential for a huge navy, as well as vast areas of South America and India, useful areas which produced many luxury items that many in Europe desired.
This new alliance was soon tested. Desiring to increase her trading income and to gain more control over her Indian Centres of trade, Portugal closed them to Swedish merchants. The Swedes, along with their Danish allies did not take this well and were soon threatening Portugal. Portugal at this time had also decided to strengthen her East African Possessions in order to put themselves on a better footing in case of a war with the English, and to aid with re-supplying India and so went to war the Zanji, but this war took slightly longer then expected and prompted a war with both the Mughal Empire and other Indian Powers, who feared what Portugal had planned for them. No sooner had the wars against these Powers finished, with a return to the Status quo, then Sweden struck along with her Danish lackey, declaring war against Portugal.
Portugal replied to this by calling upon the aid of France and some of the bloodiest fighting to ever occur in Iberia took place. The Portuguese navy was recalled from India while the French brought their navy into position to strike. Meanwhile two thirds of Portugal’s home provinces were brought under Swedish control. Then the major naval battles of the war took place with 400 Swedish and Danish ships fighting 360 Portuguese and French forces. The Swedes were defeated and forced back, though their struck again 2 more times. Both battles were close, but eventually the Swedes and Danes were forced back, a mere 80 ships left between them. Thanks to Spanish aid, granting France military access, the Swedish land forces were defeated and a White peace was declared, Portugal and France being the clear winners and allowed to block the Swedes from their CoT’s, Portugal, being on the brink of revolt, could do no more.
The Swedish war pointed out weakness which had been noticed in the Venetians war. The Portuguese fleet just was not strong enough by itself to deal with multiple enemies on different sides of the globe. In order to change this situation, the Portuguese increased the Shipyard plan that they had began 10 years before and commissioned another 9 shipyards in various parts of the Empire, especially in India, which was soon bustling with Naval activity. This plan, though expensive was of great aid to Portuguese Naval commanders as they could now build almost double the amount of vessels as they could before the plan was implemented. Within a year, the Portuguese could build a new fleet of a 100 vessels in just India alone, giving them a great tactical advantage in the Far East.
Portuguese traders now looked hungrily at China. They had been forced out of the Chinese trading enclaves some 50 years ago by various nations and they wanted back in. It was decided that an aggressive stance against the Chinese could cede the two major trading areas to them and so plans were laid to incorporate them into the Empire.
When one looks into the first half of the 18th Century for Portugal, we can see many differences to what she had been before and what she is now. The differences all centre on one year though, as the course of her History takes a dramatic change. For in 1724, unknown by virtually everyone. A treaty was signed with Bourbon France, forming an alliance between the two powers and giving Portugal custody of the Island of Malta. Portuguese officials, from what surviving documents from the period tell us that the decision was not made lightly, as they had much to consider, but in the end it was agreed that a strong partner was needed to combat English and Dutch Colonial might and France truly was the strongest European Power. The two sides complimented each other well, France has huge reserves of manpower and great wealth, being able to capitalise on Portuguese mercantile weakness during the last few decades of unrest. Portugal brought to the partnership the potential for a huge navy, as well as vast areas of South America and India, useful areas which produced many luxury items that many in Europe desired.
This new alliance was soon tested. Desiring to increase her trading income and to gain more control over her Indian Centres of trade, Portugal closed them to Swedish merchants. The Swedes, along with their Danish allies did not take this well and were soon threatening Portugal. Portugal at this time had also decided to strengthen her East African Possessions in order to put themselves on a better footing in case of a war with the English, and to aid with re-supplying India and so went to war the Zanji, but this war took slightly longer then expected and prompted a war with both the Mughal Empire and other Indian Powers, who feared what Portugal had planned for them. No sooner had the wars against these Powers finished, with a return to the Status quo, then Sweden struck along with her Danish lackey, declaring war against Portugal.
Portugal replied to this by calling upon the aid of France and some of the bloodiest fighting to ever occur in Iberia took place. The Portuguese navy was recalled from India while the French brought their navy into position to strike. Meanwhile two thirds of Portugal’s home provinces were brought under Swedish control. Then the major naval battles of the war took place with 400 Swedish and Danish ships fighting 360 Portuguese and French forces. The Swedes were defeated and forced back, though their struck again 2 more times. Both battles were close, but eventually the Swedes and Danes were forced back, a mere 80 ships left between them. Thanks to Spanish aid, granting France military access, the Swedish land forces were defeated and a White peace was declared, Portugal and France being the clear winners and allowed to block the Swedes from their CoT’s, Portugal, being on the brink of revolt, could do no more.
The Swedish war pointed out weakness which had been noticed in the Venetians war. The Portuguese fleet just was not strong enough by itself to deal with multiple enemies on different sides of the globe. In order to change this situation, the Portuguese increased the Shipyard plan that they had began 10 years before and commissioned another 9 shipyards in various parts of the Empire, especially in India, which was soon bustling with Naval activity. This plan, though expensive was of great aid to Portuguese Naval commanders as they could now build almost double the amount of vessels as they could before the plan was implemented. Within a year, the Portuguese could build a new fleet of a 100 vessels in just India alone, giving them a great tactical advantage in the Far East.
Portuguese traders now looked hungrily at China. They had been forced out of the Chinese trading enclaves some 50 years ago by various nations and they wanted back in. It was decided that an aggressive stance against the Chinese could cede the two major trading areas to them and so plans were laid to incorporate them into the Empire.
