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Kingdom of Northern Lusitania facts for kids

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The Kingdom of Northern Lusitania (in Portuguese: Reino da Lusitânia Setentrional) was a kingdom that Napoleon wanted to create in 1807. It was planned for the northern part of Portugal, between the Douro and Minho rivers. Napoleon suggested that Charles Louis, who was the king of Etruria at the time, would rule this new kingdom.

In 1807, Portugal did not agree to Napoleon's demand to join his "Continental System." This system was a way to stop trade with the United Kingdom. Because Portugal refused, Napoleon signed a deal called the Treaty of Fontainebleau with Spain on October 27, 1807. This treaty planned how to take over Portugal.

Napoleon's Plan for Portugal

Napoleon's plan was to divide Portugal into three different parts:

  • The Kingdom of Northern Lusitania: This part would be in the north of Portugal. It would be between the Douro and Minho rivers and include important cities like Porto and Braga. It was named after an old Roman province called Lusitania. Napoleon wanted Charles Louis, the former king of Etruria, to rule it.
  • Portugal: This middle part would be smaller, just between the Douro and Tagus rivers. It would include the capital city of Lisbon. Napoleon planned for France to rule this area directly.
  • The Principality of the Algarves: This would be all of southern Portugal, below the Tagus river. It included the regions of the Algarve and Alentejo. Manuel de Godoy, who was Spain's prime minister and Napoleon's friend, was supposed to rule this area as a prince.

French Invasion and Portuguese Freedom

After the treaty, French soldiers, led by Marshal Junot, invaded Portugal. They captured the capital city of Lisbon on December 1, 1807. However, the British army, led by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, came to help Portugal. This led to a big conflict called the Peninsular War. With British help, Portugal was able to keep its independence. The last French troops left Portugal in 1812. The Kingdom of Northern Lusitania was never actually created.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Reino de Lusitania Septentrional para niños

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