Invasion of Portugal (1807)

Invasion of Portugal (1807)
Part of the Peninsular War
Entry of the French into Lisbon on 30 November 1807, painting by Luis António Xavier (c. 1807)
Date 19–30 November 1807 Location Portugal Result Franco-Spanish victory Territorial changes Portugal under joint Franco-Spanish occupation
Belligerents
French Empire Kingdom of Spain	Kingdom of Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Jean-Andoche Junot	Prince Regent João
Strength
France: 25,918 Spain: 25,500 Total: 51,418	48,396

Lisbon

Roliça

Vimeiro

Chaves

Braga

Grijó

Porto

Almeida

Bussaco

TorresVedras

Redinha

Sabugal

FuentesDeOñoro

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Peninsular war: Portugal
1807 1808 1809 1810 1811

The invasion of Portugal (19–30 November 1807) saw an Imperial French corps under Jean-Andoche Junot and Spanish military troops invade the Kingdom of Portugal, which was headed by its Prince Regent João of Bragança (John of Braganza). The military operation resulted in the occupation of Portugal. The French and Spanish 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 an 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, only to find that João and many of the leading families had escaped to 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.