Portugal had
declared independence from Spain in 1640, but the conflict with the Dutch continued. In 1644 the
Dutch West India Company (GWC) recalled governor
Johan Maurits, due to excessive military expenditures. Soon after, the GWC faced a major uprising of Portuguese planters in June 1645. The Portuguese planters around
Pernambuco had never fully accepted Dutch rule, and had also resented the high interest rates charged by Dutch moneylenders for loans to rebuild their plantations following the initial Dutch conquest. In August, the planters revolted and prevailed over Dutch forces in a minor battle fought outside Recife, effectively ending Dutch control over the hinterland of the colony. That year, the Portuguese gained Várzea,
Sirinhaém, Pontal de Nazaré, the Fort of
Porto Calvo, and Fort Maurits. By 1646, the GWC only controlled four toeholds along the Brazilian coast, chief among them being Recife. In the spring of 1646, the Dutch sent a relief expedition to Recife of 20 ships with 2,000 men, temporarily forestalling the fall of the city. In 1647, in return for agreeing to the
Peace of Munster with Spain, the Dutch province of Zeeland induced the other Dutch provinces to support a second, larger relief expedition to reconquer Brazil. The expedition, consisting of 41 ships with 6,000 men, set sail on December 26, 1647. In Brazil, the Dutch had already abandoned
Itamaracá on December 13, 1647. The new expeditionary force arrived late at Recife, with many of its soldiers either dead or mutinous from lack of pay. In April 1648, the Portuguese routed the expeditionary force at the
First Battle of Guararapes, fought outside Recife. The Portuguese had sent an armada of 84 ships, including 18 warships, to recapture Recife. In February 1649, the Portuguese again routed the Dutch at the
Second Battle of Guararapes. ==Fall of Recife==