History

Throughout the history, the relationship between Portugal and its peninsular neighbour Spain has always been very difficult because of territorial expansions. Since 12th century, Portugal is independent.
Located on the Atlantic, the Portuguese have always had a special relation to the sea. New territories for the expansion of Europe were explored from early on. The Portuguese were the first to discover the seaway to India, Brazil, China and Japan after their heroic expeditions. Portugal became a rich country by trading with spices from India and with gold and gems from Brazil.
In 1580, Portugal lost its independency and became a Spanish province. The Spanish reigned until 1640.
In the year 1807 the Napoleonic troops occupied the country. After the French got expelled with the help of the British, the country obtained their first constitution.
It was in 1908 that the king Carlos I and the heir to the throne were killed in an assassination and in 1910 the country was proclaimed to be a republic. 1916 Portugal came into the First World War. 1926 the military revolted and stopped the first republic.
From 1960 on the colonial war began, amongst others with Angola, Mozambique and Guineau Bissau. The first oil crisis in the year 1973 caused an economic crisis, which enforced the public discontent of the population who already were suffering from the dictatorship. This led to the Carnation Revolution.
The new authorities gave the colonies – except Macau – their independence in 1974/1975.