Two talks organised by the Algarve History Association this month will see David Johnson discuss the Ultimatum of 1890.
Knowledge of the British Ultimatum of 1890 is claimed by lots of Portuguese, but by very few Britons. As a result of this Ultimatum, Britain forced Portugal to relinquish its vision of linking its colonies of Mozambique and Angola across the centre of Africa and instead the British established their presence in territories eventually known as Northern and Southern Rhodesia.
The feeling in Portugal against their long-term ally was intense and was directed against the perceived supporter of British claims, the King of Portugal. In January, 1891 the first republican riot took place in Porto, a forerunner of the movement which led to the downfall of the Portuguese monarchy in 1910.
Major questions include: why did Portugal believe it had the right to occupy the disputed territory; why did the British disagree; on what was the Portuguese claim based?
The talks will be held on Tuesday September 24 at 6pm in the Municipal Library of Lagoa and on Friday September 27 at 11am in the Municipal Library of Tavira.
