In 1578, Dom Sebastião, the King of Portugal at the time, vanished in the Battle of Alcacer-Quibir against the Moors in Morocco. He had few allies and inadequate resources to fight with, leading to his disappearance. Since he had no direct heirs, King Philip II of Spain (his uncle) assumed control over the Portuguese lands, starting the Iberian Union. Sixty years later, John, Duke of Bragança, rebelled with the goal of restoring Portugal's independence, which he accomplished, becoming John IV of Portugal. Brazil was part of the Spanish Empire, but remained under Portuguese administration until it regained its independence in 1668, and Portuguese colonial possessions were returned to the Portuguese crown.