Alliance among the Holy Roman Emperor, Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, and the Netherlands2.1049 Treaty of Mutual Alliance between Por-
tugal and Spain
Alliance Members:Portugal and Spain
Signed On:June 18, 1701, in the city of Lisbon
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 23, p. 399.
SUMMARY
With the accession of Phillip V to the throne in Spain, Louis XIV had
considerable sway in Spanish affairs. To further his interests, Louis
XIV felt that entering into an alliance with Portugal was a necessity.
The terms of the Portuguese alliances with Spain and France, both rat-
ified on the same day, were remarkably similar. Indeed, thirteen of the
articles were identical except for the names of the states involved.
Louis XIV advanced his interests considerably by closing off Por-
tuguese ports to enemy ships, which effectively prevented the trans-
port of troops to Spain’s western flank. However, the Spanish variant
of this treaty included unique provisions favorable to Portugal regard-
ing Portuguese exports such as wheat and tobacco.
Louis XIV hoped the alliance would deter England and France from
declaring war against France; however, war soon broke out between
the two rivals. Portugal quickly abrogated its alliances with Spain and
with France when Peter II was approached by England about joining
the Grand Alliance.
Description of Terms
The king of Portugal promises that any prince or power that
will make war against Castile or France to weaken the succes-
sion will be considered an enemy and will be forbidden com-
merce and asylum in Portugal. Spain pledges to give reparations
to compensate for the loss that Portugal had in the Indies
because of Spain. If war breaks out, and Portugal is in need of
bread, then Spain also pledges to export wheat to Portugal.
Criminals will be extradited. Any Portuguese tobacco enter-
prise will be forbidden in Spain. Because of the debts that Por-
tugal has to England, in case of a war, Spain promises not to set-
tle with England until Portugal will be free of its debts. In case
there is no war, Spain will do everything possible to pressure
England to accept the 30,000 pounds sterling offered by Portu-
gal to settle its debts. If because of this debt the English destroy
any Portuguese ship, Spain would quickly restore it. In case of
war, Spain will make peace until England returns the island of
Main to Portugal.
Because Holland and Britain are bitter because of the favor-
able treatment that Portugal gave French ships during the war,
Spain will consider this its cause too if Holland and England
seek revenge. If the Dutch try to overturn their loss to Portugal
in Brazil, then Spain would consider also this as part of its
cause. In the case of war, Spain guarantees all the territory the
Portuguese would take from Holland in the Indies and the coast
of Africa. In case of war between Holland and Portugal, Spain
engages not to settle until Holland forgives all Portuguese debts.
To solidify the friendship between the alliance partners,
Spain will return the land that was appropriated through the
treaty of 1681. If war occurs between Spain and any other Euro-
pean power, Spain will not settle unless Portugal settles, too, and
vice versa. This alliance will last twenty years.
The alliance was ratified by Portugal on June 18 and by Spain
on July 1, 1701.2.1050 Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee of the
Will of Charles II
Alliance Members:Portugal and France
Signed On:June 18, 1701, in the city of Lisbon
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 23, p. 435.SUMMARY
At the start of the War of the Spanish Succession, Portugal was an
early supporter of France and Spain before eventually supporting Aus-
tria. Because Portugal had a relatively weak military, however, Peter II
of Portugal signed an alliance with France to guarantee French naval
protection. By signing the alliance,Portugal supported Phillip V’s
claim to the throne in Spain, but Portugal’s interest in an alliance with
the French was more a function of the fear of Phillip V than the prod-
uct of any genuine interest in France. With no guarantee of protection
from England, Peter II of Portugal found it more expedient to negoti-
ate with France. Upon learning that war had broken out between
England and France, Peter II was reluctant to follow through with the
terms of the alliance.
When John Methuen, English ambassador to Portugal, approached
Peter II about joining the Grand Alliance, Peter II embraced the idea
of the commercial benefits of an alliance with England. To void the
alliance with France, Peter II cited that the mere presence of English
ships off the coast of Portugal was enough to nullify the terms of the
alliance. Citizens in Lisbon, fearing that associating with the French
would lead to a blockade, rejoiced over the nullification of the French
alliance.Description of Terms
The key provisions of this alliance mirror the Spanish-Por-
tuguese alliance signed on the same day.2.1051 Defensive and Offensive Alliance
among the Holy Roman Emperor, Portugal,
Spain, Great Britain, and the Netherlands
Alliance Members:Holy Roman Emperor, Portugal, Spain, Great
Britain, and the Netherlands
Signed On:May 16, 1703, in the city of Lisbon
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 24, p. 375.SUMMARY
The alliance was formed as a result of the Methuen Treaty on May 16,
1703, in the midst of the War of the Spanish Succession. The terms of