Above: Map of Piedmont, Italy - battleground during France and Spain conflict

In 1801 a conflict broke out between France and Spain on one side with Portugal on the other. History came to term it as the War of the Oranges

Above: Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte

France under Napoleon Bonaparte, together with Spain, demanded Portugal to enter into an alliance with France. Since the time of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373, Portugal had remained an ally of Britain.

Above: Thousands of French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte marching for war

But now Napoleon, nursing imperialistic ambitions of expansion, sent an ultimatum to Portugal asking her to surrender major chunks of her country. Portugal refused. This was the pretext Napoleon was looking for and French troops arrived in Portugal in April 1801. On 20th May Spanish reinforcements arrived under the command of Godoy.0

Above: Painting of Manuel Godoy

The result of the battle was a foregone conclusion. Portugal lost and the aggressors took over the town of Olivenza, situated near the Spanish border. It so happened that Godoy plucked oranges at neary Elvas and sent them to the Queen of Portugal with the message that he would be soon proceeding to Lisbon. Hence the battle came to be termed as the War of Oranges.

Above: Map of Olivenza, Spain

After the humiliation at Olivenza, Portugal negotiated for a treaty with France and Spain - Peace of Badajoz. Portugal was to close its ports to British ships, pay France a huge indemnity and accept the Guiana borders as far as the delta of the River Arawani as French territory. Spain was to get Olivenca in perpetuity. It was further laid down that any breach of the terms would lead to instant cancellation of the treaty.

Above: Naval war during the Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 turned the tide. With the defeat of Napoleon, Portugal once more turned to Britain, her old ally. This provoked France to cancel the Peace of Badajoz and march on to Portugal leading to the Peninsular War from 1897 to 1810.

Below: Attack plan during the Battle of Trafalgar (click map to enlarge)