The Iberian Union in Cape Verde: History & Drake’s Attacks
In the late 16th century, the archipelago of Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) stood as a jewel of the Portuguese Empire. Located strategically between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, its capital, Ribeira Grande, was a bustling commercial hub—the first permanent European settlement in the tropics. However, between 1580 and 1640, the islands were thrust into a complex geopolitical drama known as the Iberian Union. This sixty-year period, during which the crowns of Portugal and Spain were united under the Spanish Habsburgs, transformed Cape Verde from a protected trade outpost into a prime target for the enemies of Spain, most notably English privateers led by Sir Francis Drake.
The Birth of the Iberian Union (1580)
The transition began with a dynastic crisis in Portugal. Following the death of King Sebastian at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir and the subsequent passing of the elderly King Henry, the Portuguese throne sat vacant. Philip II of Spain, claiming hereditary right and backed by military force, ascended the throne as Philip I of Portugal. This created the Iberian Union, a massive global empire “on which the sun never set.”
For Cape Verde, the union was a double-edged sword. While it remained legally a Portuguese territory administered by Portuguese officials, it was now tethered to Spanish foreign policy. This meant that the enemies of Spain—primarily England, France, and the Dutch Republic—now viewed every Portuguese port as a legitimate target for plunder and warfare.
The Strategic Value of the “Green Cape”
As the Wikipedia history of the islands notes, Cape Verde’s position was vital to the transatlantic slave trade. The islands served as a “re-supply” and transition point where manufactured goods and rum were traded for African slaves, ivory, and gold. During the Iberian Union, this wealth became even more significant as Spanish interests in the New World required an ever-increasing supply of labor. Ribeira Grande, located on the island of Santiago, became one of the wealthiest cities in the Atlantic, filled with churches, grand residences, and warehouses overflowing with trade goods.
Enter the “Dragon”: Sir Francis Drake’s Attacks
The most famous and devastating consequence of the Iberian Union for Cape Verde came in the form of English privateers. In 1585, Queen Elizabeth I of England sanctioned a massive expedition against Spanish interests, commanded by the legendary (and, to the Portuguese, infamous) Sir Francis Drake.
The Sacking of Ribeira Grande (1585)
In November 1585, Drake arrived at the shores of Santiago with a fleet of nearly 30 ships. His objective was clear: weaken the Spanish-Portuguese economic machine and secure loot for the English crown. Finding the residents of Ribeira Grande unprepared for a full-scale maritime invasion, Drake’s forces captured the city with relative ease.
The English occupation lasted several weeks. Drake’s men systematically looted the city, stripped the churches of their valuables, and occupied the fortresses. When the local governor refused to negotiate or pay a ransom, Drake ordered the burning of Ribeira Grande before sailing toward the West Indies. This attack was a psychological and economic blow from which the city struggled to recover.
A Cycle of Vulnerability
The 1585 attack was not an isolated incident. Because the Iberian Union involved Spain in the Eighty Years’ War and the Anglo-Spanish War, Cape Verde was frequently harassed. The English returned under various commanders, and later, the Dutch West India Company would also eye the archipelago as a strategic base. The “strategic position” that had driven Cape Verde’s growth now became its greatest liability.
Socio-Economic Life Under the Union
Despite the threat of privateers, the 1580–1640 period was a time of significant cultural synthesis. The population of the islands continued to evolve, blending West African ancestry with Portuguese settlers. This era saw the further development of the Cape Verdean Creole (Crioulo), a language that allowed the diverse inhabitants—slaves, traders, and administrators—to communicate and form a distinct national identity.
The economy, however, began to show signs of strain. The heavy taxes imposed by the Spanish crown to fund European wars, combined with the constant threat of maritime raids, discouraged long-term investment. While the slave trade remained lucrative, the “golden age” of Ribeira Grande began to fade, paving the way for the eventual rise of Praia as the more defensible and dominant capital.
The Restoration and the Aftermath
In 1640, a revolution in Lisbon saw the Portuguese nobility overthrow the Spanish governors and acclaim the Duke of Braganza as King John IV. This marked the end of the Iberian Union. Cape Verdeans, like much of the empire, celebrated the restoration of Portuguese independence.
However, the islands were forever changed. The vulnerability exposed during the Union led to a greater emphasis on fortifications. The Forte Real de São Filipe, which still stands today in Cidade Velha (the modern name for Ribeira Grande), remains a silent witness to this era of cannons and privateers.
Legacy of the Period
Today, the Iberian Union period is remembered as a time when Cape Verde was a central stage for global power struggles. Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cidade Velha can still see the ruins of the cathedral and the fortresses that Drake once targeted.
For modern Cabo Verde—a stable, democratic nation and a leader in Macaronesia—this history is a testament to the resilience of its people. From surviving the raids of the 16th century to becoming a “real success story” (as described by former U.S. President Barack Obama) in the 21st, the archipelago has navigated the turbulent waters of history to emerge as one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa.
Fast Facts: Cape Verde During the Iberian Union
- Duration: 1580–1640 (60 years).
- Key Figure: Sir Francis Drake, who sacked the capital twice in 1585.
- Main Conflict: The Anglo-Spanish War, which made Portuguese colonies targets for English ships.
- Impact: Decimation of Ribeira Grande’s wealth and the beginning of a shift in power to the city of Praia.
- Cultural Evolution: Continued growth of the Crioulo language despite political instability.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
