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| 1580–98 |
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| PHILIP I (Philip II of Spain), who was accepted by the Cortes. Philip promised to respect the rights of the country and to rule only through Portuguese. He himself generally observed this obligation, but under his successors it was often ignored. First Portugal itself, then the Portuguese Empire was turned over to Spanish officials. The result was growing discontent in Portugal and increasing weakness abroad. After the defeat of the Spanish armada (1588; (See 1588, Aug. 8), the British and the Dutch began to attack the Portuguese possessions, many of which were conquered before 1640. | 1 |
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| 1598 |
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| Dutch trade with Lisbon was prohibited. This marked the beginning of Dutch enterprise in the east and of the gradual conquest of Portuguese possessions. | 2 |
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| 1640, Dec. 1 |
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| REVOLT OF THE PORTUGUESE, inspired and organized by João Ribeiro, a professor at the University of Coimbra, and supported by the nobility and clergy. The insurgents, all disillusioned with Spanish rule, took advantage of the revolt in Catalonia. Like the Catalonians they were supported by France, which was at war with Spain. The Spanish government, unable to devote much attention to Portugal, could not prevent the election of John of Braganza to the throne. (See Portugal) | 3 |
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