Spanish invasion of Portugal (1762)

The Spanish invasion of Portugal in 1762 was a military campaign during the Seven Years' War. Spain, allied with France under the Bourbon Family Compact, sought to pressure Portugal, a long-standing ally of Great Britain, to abandon its trading relationship with the British and join the anti-British alliance. The invasion was one of three that Portugal suffered during the war.

The Spanish forces, under the command of the Count of Aranda, launched their offensive in the spring of 1762. Their initial plan involved a two-pronged attack: one force advancing into Alentejo province in the south, and another attempting to seize Porto in the north.

The Portuguese army, significantly smaller than the Spanish force, was reinforced by British troops and officers, as well as assistance from experienced military tacticians like the Count Wilhelm of Schaumburg-Lippe. The Portuguese and British forces adopted a defensive strategy, focusing on delaying the Spanish advance and disrupting their supply lines.

The Spanish offensive in Alentejo initially met with some success, capturing several towns. However, the determined resistance of the Portuguese and British forces, combined with logistical difficulties and disease within the Spanish ranks, slowed their progress considerably.

In the north, the Spanish advance was even less successful. The terrain proved difficult, and the Portuguese and British defenders were able to inflict heavy casualties on the invaders. The Spanish were ultimately repelled, and their attempt to seize Porto failed.

By the autumn of 1762, the Spanish invasion had stalled. Suffering from heavy losses, logistical problems, and facing increasingly determined resistance, they began to withdraw from Portuguese territory.

The invasion ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. Portugal remained allied with Great Britain, and the trading relationship between the two nations continued. The campaign exposed weaknesses in the Spanish army and demonstrated the effectiveness of a well-coordinated defensive strategy combined with British military assistance. Despite the hardships, Portugal emerged from the conflict with its independence intact, although the war had placed a significant strain on its resources.