What was the Iberian Union?

A Iberian Union represented the union of the Crowns of Portugal and Spain, in 1580. It was the result of the disappearance of Dom Sebastião — then king of Portugal — in the African continent.

Dom Sebastião had no direct heirs, so an intense succession crisis shook the Portuguese Crown and its colonies.

Thus, between 1580 and 1640, Portugal was governed by Spanish kings.

Iberian Union – Summary

After the disappearance of Dom Sebastião in Africa during the conflicts against the Moors, a succession crisis weakened the stability of the Portuguese government.

As he had no heirs, his great-uncle, Cardinal Dom Henrique, became the new king of Portugal.

However, in 1580, D. Henrique dies without leaving direct heirs to the throne. With that, the King of Spain, Filipe II, Dom Sebastião's uncle, decides to unite the two Crowns.

In addition to strengthening the Spanish economy, he sought to expand participation in disputes in the Mediterranean Sea It is Atlantic Ocean.

By incorporating the Portuguese colonial domains, the prestige of the Spanish king increased with the Catholic Church. The centralization of power made Spain responsible for the spread of Catholicism in the New World.

Under Spanish administration, the colonies experienced a boost in commercial activities, in addition to territorial expansion.

The expeditions of bandeirantes in the interior of the country they became constant, as well as agricultural activities. Both contributed to increase the domains of the society in question.

In addition, it encouraged the Dutch invasion of the Northeast of the country by preventing Dutch traders from participating in sugar production.

During this period, the Brazilian territory was divided into two administrative units:

1. Maranhão (with headquarters in São Luís)
2. Brazil (with the capital in Salvador)

In 1640, the Restoration movement took place, a confrontation between Spain and Portugal that put an end to the Iberian Union.

After the end of Spanish rule, both had to sign a series of treaties redefining their colonial domains.

Learn more at:

• Foreign invasions in Brazil
• Avis Revolution