Invasion of Portugal (1807)

Part of the Peninsular War

Date	19 to 30 November 1807
Location	Portugal
Result	Franco-Spanish victory

Belligerents

French Empire

Spain

Portugal

Commanders and leaders

Jean-Andoche Junot

General Solano

Prince Regent John

Strength

24,918

25,500

48,396

Casualties and losses

Light

Army came under French command

The invasion of Portugal (19–30 November 1807) saw an Imperial French corps under Jean-Andoche Junot invade Portugal, which was headed by its Prince Regent John of Braganza. The military operation resulted in the almost bloodless occupation of Portugal. The French presence was challenged by the Portuguese people and by the United Kingdom in 1808. The invasion marked the start of the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars.

Threatened by a humiliating ultimatum from Napoleon, the Portuguese government acceded to most of the demands of the French emperor. Nevertheless, Napoleon ordered Junot to commence the invasion, with the cooperation of three divisions from the Kingdom of Spain. Paralyzed by fear and indecision, the Portuguese authorities offered no resistance. Junot occupied Lisbon on 30 November 1807 to find that John and many of the leading families had left for Brazil aboard the Portuguese fleet. The French quickly occupied the entire country and appropriated or disbanded the Portuguese army. The following year saw the Portuguese revolt against their occupiers. The next action was the Battle of Évora in July 1808.

When the Treaties of Tilsit ended the War of the Fourth Coalition, Emperor Napoleon of France had already expressed irritation that Portugal was open to trade with the United Kingdom. Napoleon's ire was provoked because Portugal was Britain's oldest ally in Europe, Britain was finding new opportunities for trade with Portugal's colony in Brazil, the Royal Navy often used Lisbon's port in its operations against France, and he wished to seize Portugal's fleet. Furthermore, Prince John of Braganza, regent for his insane mother Queen Maria I had failed to comply with the emperor's Continental System, a prohibition against British trade. In addition, the seizure of Portugal would fit neatly into Napoleon's future designs against Spain.

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