Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)?

Subject:

Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)

Known for:

Secret 1807 agreement to divide Portugal between France and Spain.

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Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Fontainebleau was a secret agreement signed on 27 October 1807 in Fontainebleau, France between King Charles IV of Spain and the French Emperor Napoleon. Under the treaty, the House of Braganza was to be driven from the Kingdom of Portugal with the country subsequently divided into three regions, the north and south to be ruled by Louis II, King of Etruria and Spanish minister Manuel Godoy respectively, while the provinces of Beira, Tras-os-Montes and Portuguese Estremadura would remain in abeyance until a later peace.

Career & Major Achievements

Within seven months the government of Spain had collapsed and two Spanish kings abdicated. In August 1808 Napoleon imposed his brother Joseph as King of Spain.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Negotiated and agreed between Don Eugenio Izquierdo, plenipotentiary of Charles IV, and Marshal Géraud Duroc as the representative of Napoleon, the accord contained 14 articles along with supplementary provisions relating to troop allocations for the planned invasion of Portugal. According to historian Charles Oman, it is probable that Napoleon never had any intention of carrying out the treaty's provisions.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1807: 1807 Milestone — The Treaty of Fontainebleau was a secret agreement signed on 27 October 1807 in Fontainebleau, France between King Charles IV of Spain and the French Emperor Napoleon.
2. 1808: 1808 Milestone — In August 1808 Napoleon imposed his brother Joseph as King of Spain.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Fontainebleau (October 1807)

True or False: “True or false: The Treaty of Fontainebleau immediately and successfully established the permanent division of Portugal among the ruling powers.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While the treaty proposed a division, many provinces were placed in abeyance, and the subsequent political instability in Spain and Portugal meant the provisions were not immediately or permanently realized.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri — Historical peer (Born in 1808) (1808): Algerian religious and military leader who resisted French colonization for 17 years.
• Abdelkader El Djezairi — Historical peer (Born in 1808) (1808): Algerian religious leader who spearheaded the resistance against French colonization (1831–1847).

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