Dutch–Portuguese War

Quick Facts: Who was Dutch–Portuguese War?

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Dutch–Portuguese War

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Global conflict for maritime trade dominance between the Dutch Republic and Portugal (1598–1663).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dutch–Portuguese War was a global armed conflict involving Dutch forces, in the form of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the Dutch West India Company (GWC), and their allies, against the Iberian Union, and after 1640, the Portuguese Empire. Beginning in 1598, the conflict primarily involved the Dutch companies and fleet invading Portuguese colonies in the Americas, Africa, and the East Indies. The war can be thought of as an extension of the Eighty Years' War being fought in Europe at the time between Spain and the Netherlands, as Portugal was in a dynastic union with Spain after the War of the Portuguese Succession, for most of the conflict. However, the conflict had little to do with the war in Europe and served mainly as a way for the Dutch to gain an overseas empire and control trade at the cost of the Portuguese. Because of the commodity at the center of the conflict, this war would be nicknamed the Spice War.

Career & Major Achievements

Portugal repelled Dutch attempts to secure Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, but the Dutch disrupted the Portuguese trading networks in Asia, where they captured the Malabar Coast, Ceylon, Malacca, and the Moluccas. In Africa, the Dutch conquered the Gold Coast, Arguin, and Goreé. Portuguese resentment of Spain, which was perceived as having prioritized its own colonies and neglected the defense of the Portuguese, the weaker member of the union, was a major contributing factor to Portugal shaking off Spanish rule in the Portuguese Restoration War. Moreover, the Portuguese claimed that the Iberian Union was a reason for the attacks on their colonies by the Dutch. The war lasted from 1598 to 1663, and the main participants were the Kingdom of Portugal and the Dutch Republic.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Following the 1580 Iberian Union, Portugal was under Habsburg rule for most of this period, and the Habsburg Philip II of Spain was battling the Dutch Revolt. Prior to the union of the Portuguese and Spanish Crowns, Portuguese merchants used the Low Countries as a base for the sale of their spices in Northern Europe. After the Spaniards gained control of the Portuguese Empire, they declared an embargo on all trade with the rebellious provinces (see Union of Utrecht). In his efforts to subdue the rebelling provinces, Philip II cut off the Netherlands from the spice markets of Lisbon, making it necessary for the Dutch to send their own expeditions to the sources of these commodities and to take control of the Indies spice trade. This followed the capture of Recife in which the Dutch assisted the English in capturing the Portuguese colony.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1580: 1580 Milestone — Following the 1580 Iberian Union, Portugal was under Habsburg rule for most of this period, and the Habsburg Philip II of Spain was battling the Dutch Revolt.
2. 1598: 1598 Milestone — Beginning in 1598, the conflict primarily involved the Dutch companies and fleet invading Portuguese colonies in the Americas, Africa, and the East Indies.
3. 1640: 1640 Milestone — The Dutch–Portuguese War was a global armed conflict involving Dutch forces, in the form of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the Dutch West India Company (GWC), and their allies, against the Iberian Union, and after 1640, the Portuguese Empire.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dutch–Portuguese War

True or False: “The primary catalyst for the conflict was solely the desire to control the lucrative spice trade.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While spices were central (earning it 'Spice War'), the conflict was also fueled by Dutch economic necessity due to Spanish embargoes and the need to establish a global empire.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Ortelius — Historical peer (Died in 1598) (1598): Pioneering cartographer, creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum.
• Alessandro Algardi — Historical peer (Born in 1598) (1598): Master of High-Baroque Sculpture, renowned for his portrait busts in Rome.
• Cotton Mather — Historical peer (Born in 1663) (1663): Influential Puritan theologian, historian, and clergyman of colonial New England.
• Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba — Historical peer (Died in 1663) (1663): Paramount ruler of Ndongo and Matamba, famed for resisting Portuguese encroachment.
• Aphra Behn — Historical peer (Born in 1640) (1640): Pioneering English writer, poet, and spy of the Restoration era.
• Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland — Historical peer (Born in 1640) (1640): Notorious English royal mistress and Duchess of Cleveland, famed for her connection to Charles II.
• Andrea Palladio — Historical peer (Died in 1580) (1580): Master Renaissance architect whose villas defined the Palladian style.
• Bessho Nagaharu — Historical peer (Died in 1580) (1580): A Sengoku period daimyō who initially allied with the Oda before revolting against Hideyoshi.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dutch–Portuguese War