Kingdom of Portugal

The Kingdom of Portugal was a monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula. It existed from the mid-12th century until the early 20th century. It was also called the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves after 1471. It was part of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1815 to 1822. It shared its land with the Portuguese Empire, its overseas colonies.

The Portuguese state began as the County of Portugal. It was created in the 9th century during the Reconquista by Vímara Peres. He was a vassal of the King of Asturias. The county joined the Kingdom of León in 1097. The Counts of Portugal became independent in the 12th century after the Battle of São Mamede. The kingdom was ruled by the Afonsine Dynasty until the 1383–85 Crisis. Then the monarchy passed to the House of Aviz.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese exploration created a large colonial empire. From 1580 to 1640, Portugal was joined in a personal union with Habsburg Spain. After the Portuguese Restoration War from 1640 to 1668, the kingdom came under the House of Braganza. Later it passed to the House of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Portugal’s power grew weaker after this, but it stayed important because of Brazil. After Brazil became independent, Portugal tried to grow in Africa. But it could not expand after the 1890 British Ultimatum. This led to the end of the monarchy in the 5 October 1910 revolution. Then the First Portuguese Republic began.

Before 1822, Portugal was an absolute monarchy. From 1822 to 1834, it changed between absolute and semi-constitutional monarchy. After 1834, it stayed a semi-constitutional monarchy until it ended.

History

The Kingdom of Portugal started as a part of the Kingdom of León. It became its own country in steps. On 26 July 1139, Afonso Henriques was named King of the Portuguese. In 1143, Alfonso VII of León and Castile agreed Portugal was independent. The Pope Alexander III also agreed in 1179.

The kingdom grew bigger over time. Its kings ruled from the Portuguese House of Burgundy until 1383. In the 1900s, new ideas about governments spread. This led to the 5 October 1910 revolution. The revolution ended the monarchy and started the Portuguese First Republic. Later, Portugal’s colonies became their own countries. The last one was Macau, which went back to China in 1999.

Rulers

Main article: List of Portuguese monarchs

The Kingdom of Portugal had many kings and queens. These leaders helped the country grow and change. They also helped build the Portuguese Empire, which included lands far from Europe.