The Iberian Union represented the union of the Iberian countries (Portugal and Spain) in the period from 1580, with the death of Dom Sebastião de Portugal, until 1640, year of the Portuguese Restoration Coup.
Causes and Consequences:Summary
On August 4, 1578, at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, in Morocco, Africa, an event took place that came to represent the Portuguese mentality for centuries:Sebastianismo . This myth that emerged around the figure of the young King of Portugal, Dom Sebastião, "The Desire", was the necessary fulcrum for the Union of Iberian Crowns. Thus, with the supposed disappearance of the King of Portugal in the battle, the consequences were unusual, generating a dynastic crisis, which left the Portuguese people desolate, who were commanded, from that moment, by the King of Spain:Dom Felipe II, of the Hasburg Dynasty.
However, Dom Henrique, Dom Sebastião's great-uncle, who was supposed to be the heir to the Portuguese throne, died in 1580, leaving the throne without a legitimate heir, which led to Spanish domination that lasted until 1640, with the Restoration of Portugal. However, Dom Henrique's closest heir was Dom Felipe II of Spain, a figure to whom the throne was granted. Although some figures from Portugal (Dona Catarina de Bragança and Dom Antonio, Prior of Crato) tried to run for the position, Dom Felipe II was considered the legitimate heir of Dom Sebastião.
An important factor that had consequences with the União das Coroas was the territories that Portugal and Spain conquered from the 16th century with the great navigations. Portugal, the greatest European maritime power of the 16th century, had arrived in America in 1500, in the territory that today belongs to Brazil. Spain, however, arrived in Central America in 1492. So that there would be no disputes between the two Iberian countries, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed. (1494) delimiting the areas of conquest and exploration of each country, in the American continent.
End of the Iberian Union
Note that after the Union of Iberian Crowns, the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Tordesillas were not respected, which generated new disputes between Portugal and Spain. In addition, Spain, which was in dispute with the Dutch, who were eager to conquer a part of the territory of America, caused numerous battles between Portugal and Holland, from 1624 onwards, in order to maintain control over production. and the sugar trade that prevailed in Northeast Brazil.
However, with the definitive expulsion of the Dutch from Portuguese territory, it generated a serious economic crisis, as the Dutch began to grow the product in the Antilles (Central America), and sell it at lower prices on the European continent. This competition between sugar produced in Brazil and in the Antilles caused the end of the Portuguese monopoly on the sugar market.
Thus, as consequences of the Iberian Union we have, in addition to the Dutch invasions, the French invasions in Brazilian territory; and, in Portugal, in 1640, with the Restoration Coup, Portugal acquires its political autonomy, with the arrival of the Bragança Dynasty, throne occupied by D. João IV, leading to the end of the Iberian Union.
To learn more :
- Colonial Brazil
- Sebastianism
- Dutch Invasions
- Formation of the Brazilian territory
- Exercises Colonial Brazil
- Battle of the Guararapes