The Independence of Brazil was proclaimed on September 7, 1822 , by the then Prince Regent, Dom Pedro de Alcântara.
This occasion is also called the “Cry of Independence”, because, according to tradition, Dom Pedro would have said loud and clear the phrase “independence or death” to the guard that accompanied him on the banks of the Ipiranga stream, in São Paulo.
However, there is no consensus among historians as to the veracity of this cry.
On December 1st of the same year, D. Pedro was crowned Emperor of Brazil, with the title of D. Pedro I, a position he held until 1831.
Causes of Brazil’s Independence
The Independence of Brazil occurred as a result of a series of factors. Therefore, the correct term to be used is process.
Among the main factors that led to the independence process. Starting with the disagreement between Portuguese and Brazilian deputies in the Courts of Lisbon. With the elevation of Brazil from a Colony to the United Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves, Brazilian deputies also began to act in the Portuguese Courts.
This generated several conflicts with the Portuguese, who did not view the political autonomy that the Brazilian territory was gaining favorably.
The desire of the Brazilian economic elite to end the Portuguese commercial monopoly, established since the beginning of colonization, was another factor. A commercial monopoly occurs when a single company or group of companies is authorized to sell a certain type of product.
The Metropolitan Exclusive (or Colonial Pact) obliged Brazil to buy industrialized products only from some Portuguese companies, which raised the final price of items sold in the Colony.
This practice was common among colonizing countries, as it benefited a small number of Portuguese merchants, who would be authorized to buy and sell products in Brazil.
Both in Europe and in the Americas, Enlightenment ideas regarding the freedom of peoples echoed in Brazil and influenced separatist movements against Portuguese absolutism, such as the Inconfidência Mineira, the Conjuração Baiana and the Pernambucan Revolution of 1817.
On the American continent, the various independences of the countries of Spanish America (regions of the American continent colonized by the Spanish) were also very important in the dissemination of anti-absolutist and revolutionary ideals (although, after independence, Brazil continued to be monarchist and with centralizing power characteristics in its constitution).
Brazilian Independence Process
Brazil’s independence process is also different from that of other colonies in America, because the Portuguese Royal Family was established here from 1808 to 1820, making the struggle different from that of other territories.
Let’s see how this happened.
The arrival of the Royal Family in Brazil
At the beginning of the 19th century, part of Europe was dominated by the troops of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. His main enemy was England.
In 1806, the emperor decreed the Continental Blockade, which forced all European nations to close their ports to English trade. Any country that disobeyed the blockade would have its territory invaded by the French army. With this, Napoleon intended to defeat England through economic means.
At that time, Portugal was governed by Prince Regent D. João, who was pressured by Napoleon to close Portuguese ports to English trade, so as not to trade with them any longer.
While Portugal did not want to disobey Napoleon, it needed to maintain commercial relations with England, which was its main supplier of manufactured products, as well as a major buyer of Portuguese and Brazilian goods.
To resolve the situation, the English ambassador in Lisbon convinced D. João to move with the Court to Brazil. In this way, the English guaranteed access to the Brazilian market and the Portuguese Royal Family avoided the deposition of the Braganza dynasty by Napoleonic forces.
Thus, on November 29, 1807, the Royal Family, noblemen and officials departed for Brazil escorted by four British ships. The following day, French troops invaded Lisbon.
Arrival in Brazil
On January 22, 1808, D. João arrived in Salvador, where he decreed the Opening of the Ports of Brazil to Friendly Nations of Portugal, ending the Metropolitan Exclusive.
This put an end to the Portuguese commercial monopoly in Brazil. Soon, English products began to arrive and a large number of English firms established themselves in Brazil.
During his stay in the capital of Bahia, D. João also founded the Bahia School of Surgery, the equivalent of today’s medical schools. After three months in Salvador, he headed to Rio de Janeiro, where he disembarked in March of the same year.
In 1810, D. João signed the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation. Among other acts, this established a 15% tax on the import of English products, while Portugal would pay 16% and other nations 24%.
In 1815, after the definitive defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, the European powers met at the Congress of Vienna. The aim was to restore the absolutist regime in Europe that had existed prior to the French Revolution.
In order to obtain recognition of the Braganza dynasty and the right to participate in the Congress, on December 16, 1815, D. João elevated Brazil to the United Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves.
The change in status was necessary because the Congress of Vienna would only accept the participation of monarchs who were in their territory during the Napoleonic invasions and who were overthrown by the French. Since the Royal Family was outside their kingdom (that is, in the Colony), the Braganças needed to elevate Brazil’s position to justify their participation.
Thus, Brazil ceased to be a colony and began to have the same political status as Portugal. This meant participating in the Kingdom’s politics, sending representatives to the courts of Lisbon. It was an important step towards the political emancipation of the territory.
Pernambucan Revolution (1817)
However, not everyone was satisfied with Dom João VI’s government in Brazil. Several Brazilian provinces felt abandoned and saw that the improvements only benefited the capital.
In this way, in Recife, in the current state of Pernambuco, a revolt took place, which intended to found another country called the Confederation of Ecuador. Dom João VI’s response was immediate and the movement was repressed.
The Porto Revolution (1820)
Since the arrival of the Royal Family in Brazil, Portugal was on the brink of chaos. In addition to the serious economic crisis and popular discontent, the political system was marked by the tyranny of the English commander, William Carr Beresford, who governed the country.
All this led the Portuguese to join the revolutionary movement, which began in the city of Porto on August 24, 1820.
The Liberal Revolution of Porto had the following objectives:
- Overthrow the English administration;
- Recolonize Brazil;
- Promote the return of D. João VI to Portugal
- Draft a Constitution.
In light of these events, on March 7, 1821, D. João VI announced his departure. However, he left his eldest son and heir to the throne, Dom Pedro, in Brazil, making him regent of Brazil.
On April 26, 1821, D. João VI left for Portugal, with Queen Dona Carlota Joaquina, Prince Dom Miguel and the couple’s daughters.
From Fico Day to Independence Day
The new regent of Brazil, D. Pedro, was 23 years old. Several measures taken by the courts of Lisbon sought to diminish the power of the Prince Regent and, in this way, put an end to Brazil’s autonomy.
The insistence of the Courts that D. Pedro return to Portugal sparked resistance in Brazil. On January 9, 1822, a petition with 8,000 signatures was delivered to the Prince Regent requesting that he not abandon Brazilian territory.
Giving in to pressure, D. Pedro replied:
“If it is for the good of all and the general happiness of the Nation, I am ready. Tell the people that I will stay . “
The Dia do Fico was another step towards Brazil’s independence.
However, in some Brazilian provinces, Portuguese supporters were not in favor of D. Pedro’s government.
General Avilés, commander of Rio de Janeiro and loyal to the Courts of Lisbon, tried to force the regent to embark, but was frustrated by the mobilization of the Brazilians, who occupied Campo de Santana.
The events triggered a crisis in the government, and the Portuguese ministers resigned. The prince formed a new cabinet under the leadership of José Bonifácio, until then vice-president of the Governing Board of São Paulo.
In May, the Brazilian government established that the determinations coming from Portugal could only be accepted after approval by D. Pedro.
Meanwhile, in Bahia, fighting broke out between Portuguese and Brazilian troops. In turn, the Courts in Portugal took measures such as:
- They declared the Constituent Assembly meeting in Brazil illegitimate;
- The government of the Prince Regent was declared illegal;
- D. Pedro should return to Portugal immediately.
Faced with the metropolis’s attitude, the movement for separation gained more followers.
Proclamation of Independence
Dom Pedro decided to leave for the province of São Paulo in order to secure the support of local leaders. Princess Dona Leopoldina would be the regent during her husband’s absence.
On September 7, 1822 , returning to Rio de Janeiro, D. Pedro was on the banks of the Ipiranga stream in São Paulo, when he received the last decrees from Lisbon, one of which transformed him into a simple governor, subject to the authorities of the Cortes.
This attitude led him to decide that the ties that united Brazil and Portugal had been cut. Thus, he ordered everyone present to remove the Portuguese insignia they were wearing from their uniforms and reportedly shouted “Independence or Death”.
On October 12 of the same year, D. Pedro was acclaimed as the first emperor of Brazil, with the title of D. Pedro I, being crowned on December 1, 1822.
Consequences of Independence
The Independence of Brazil was an event of great national importance, but it must be emphasized that there were few social ruptures caused by it.
Groups marginalized during the colonial period, such as slaves and indigenous people, continued to lack greater rights and political participation. Slavery itself continued, only ending legally in 1888.
In politics, unlike other countries in the American continent, which became republics, Brazil remained a monarchy. A monarchy considered by many to be contradictory, since Brazilian independence was proclaimed by a Portuguese and Brazil continued to be ruled by Portuguese people, even though it was no longer controlled by Portugal.
Some wars occurred in the territory, led by groups that did not accept the end of Portuguese rule. Conflicts occurred in the provinces of Bahia, Grão-Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Alagoas, Sergipe and Ceará.
D. Pedro I had to hire an army of mercenaries (soldiers who fight not for a cause, but for payment), in addition to requesting loans from England, to contain rebels.
Portugal only recognized Brazilian independence in 1825, with the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Alliance. For this, Brazil paid an indemnity of two million pounds sterling to the Portuguese.
Again, to obtain the money, it was necessary to resort to a loan from the English. However, as Portugal had debts with the British, this amount was simply discounted from the debts.
Independence Day: September 7th
Brazil’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 7th as it is considered the symbolic moment in which D. Pedro broke the relations of subordination with Portugal.
This day is a national holiday and several Brazilian cities organize school and military parades to celebrate the date.
