British Ultimatum
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The 1890 British Ultimatum was an Ultimatum by the British government - delivered on January 11, 1890 by a "Memorandum" - to Portugal, forcing the retreat of the military forces in the land between the colonies of Mozambique and Angola, in current Zimbabwe, using as a pretext an incident between the Portuguese and the Macololos. The area was claimed by Portugal, which had included it in the famous Pink Map, in the Berlin Conference a strip of land stretching from Angola to Mozambique.
With no chance to resist, the government falls, leading to the nomination of a new one in January 14 presided by António de Serpa Pimentel.
A social movement of deep discontent is started, directly implying the ruling family, seen as too close to the British interests, in the national decadence caused by the Ultimatum. The republicans capitalize on this discontent, growing and widening their support base, which would lead to the republican revolution, deposing the monarchy.
Feeding this near insurrection environment, on March 23, António José de Almeida, university student in Coimbra and future President of the Republic, publishes an article titled Bragança, o último (Bragança, the last), which would be considered calumnious to the King, leading him to imprisionment, and on April 11 the Finis Patriae is put up for sale, by Guerra Junqueiro, ridiculing the King.
On August 20 the London Treaty is signed between Portugal and Great Britain, defining the territorial limits of Angola and Mozambique. The treaty was published in the Diário do Governo (Government Diary) on August 30 and presented to the parliament that same day, leading to a new wave of protest and the downfall of the government.
As a consequence of giving in to British interests, the Liga Liberal (Liberal League) appears in Lisbon, a movement lead by Augusto Fuschini and with the participation of João Crisóstomo de Abreu e Sousa against the London Treaty. The League promoted a meeting in which about 400 military officers took place.
After 28 days of political crisis a new government is nominated, on October 14, presided by João Crisóstomo. This government is supported by the Liga Liberal, progressively reinstating order.
These events have marked the Portuguese political evolution, triggering a chain of events leading to the end of the Constitutional monarchy and the reinforcement of the collective support of the colonial Empire, which would have dire consequences for Portugal over the 20th Century.
