The Joanine Period corresponds to a phase in the history of Brazil that occurred between the years 1808 and 1821. It receives this name in reference to King D. João VI, who transferred the seat of the Portuguese government to Brazil.
It is worth noting that this was the first time in history that a European king transferred his kingdom to a country on the American continent.
Historical context
In January 1808, with the support of England, the Portuguese royal family arrived in Brazil. About 15,000 people came with them, including members of the Portuguese nobility, the Catholic clergy and civil servants. They settled in the capital of Rio de Janeiro and remained there for 12 years.
Threatened by the invasion of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the Royal Family left Portugal to ensure that the country remained independent.
This is because Napoleon decreed the Continental Blockade in 1806, ordering the closing of ports to English ships.
Portugal, which supported England and had strong commercial relations with that country, did not submit to the blockade. This resulted in Napoleon’s invasion of Portuguese lands.
Thus, in October 1807, D. João and the representatives of the King of England, George III, signed a secret agreement that provided for the transfer of the seat of the Portuguese government to Brazil.
Furthermore, Portugal committed to signing a trade treaty with England, as soon as the court was installed in Brazil.
It was in this context that, in 1808, the Colonial Pact, the exclusive commercial relationship between the colony and the metropolis, came to an end. In that year, Dom João instituted the Royal Charter, which allowed the Opening of Ports to Friendly Nations of Portugal, especially favoring England.
Given the possibility of exporting to other countries, the economy of Portuguese America took off. On the other hand, the Opening also prevented the development of manufacturing in Brazil, as a large part of the products began to be imported from England.
English products had a lower customs rate than other countries. They would pay 15% in taxes, while other nations would be taxed at 24%.
Main events during the Joanine Period
During the Joanine Period, Brazil underwent important changes, especially in the capital Rio de Janeiro. For example, the Banco do Brasil was opened, an institution designed to guarantee the circulation of money and credit in Portuguese America.
The sciences and arts also received incentives, with the creation of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden and the hiring of the French Artistic Mission. While the Garden sought to study and acclimatize exotic species in Brazil, artists were hired to portray Portuguese America and members of the Court.
The arrival of the royal family also led to an increase in taxes in the country, which were used to pay for renovations in Rio de Janeiro. This displeased the elites of Pernambuco, who organized the Pernambucan Revolution of 1817.
Education in the Joanine Period
There were important milestones in education and culture during the Joanine Period. In addition to the French Artistic Mission, the construction of the Royal Library, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Press are noteworthy. The latter was responsible for publishing the first officially printed newspaper in Brazil.
In addition, Medical Schools were established in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, which were the first higher education institutions in Portuguese America.
Joanine Period and the Independence of Brazil
This period in Brazil’s history directly influenced the country’s independence process.
This is because, in 1815, the Joanine government officially extinguished the colony status of Portuguese America. From then on, Brazil received the title of “United Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves”, becoming the administrative headquarters of the Portuguese empire.
This fact left the Portuguese who remained in the metropolis very dissatisfied. As a result, they demanded the return of Dom João VI, who finally returned to Portugal to resolve the Liberal Revolution of Porto in April 1821. This event marked the end of the Joanine Period .
In his place, his son, Pedro de Alcântara, remained in Brazil. He governed Brazil after its independence, between 1822 and 1831, being crowned as Dom Pedro I. He was also responsible for establishing, in 1824, the country’s first Constitution.
When Portugal demanded his return, he refused to return to the metropolis. Thus, on September 7, 1822, he declared the Independence of Brazil.