Independence of Brazil

Quick Facts: Who was Independence of Brazil?

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Independence of Brazil

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The process by which the Kingdom of Brazil achieved sovereignty from Portugal.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The independence of Brazil (Portuguese: independência do Brasil) began after a series of political and military events that led the Kingdom of Brazil to separate from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. It is celebrated on 7 September, the date in 1822 when prince regent Pedro of Braganza, beside the Ipiranga brook, declared independence from Portugal – a declaration that became known as the Cry of Ipiranga. Formal recognition by Portugal came with the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, signed in 1825. In 1807, the French army invaded Portugal, which had refused to participate in the continental blockade against the United Kingdom. Unable to resist the invasion, the Portuguese royal family and government fled to Brazil, which was then the richest and most developed of the Portuguese colonies.

Career & Major Achievements

The installation of the House of Appeals and other public bodies of the Portuguese government in Rio de Janeiro represented a series of political, economic and social transformations that led to then prince regent John of Braganza (later King John VI of Portugal), to elevate the State of Brazil to the status of a kingdom on 16 December 1815, united with its former metropole. In 1820, a liberal revolution broke out in Portugal and the royal family was forced to return to Lisbon. Before leaving Brazil, however, the now king John VI named his eldest son, Pedro of Braganza, as prince regent of Brazil. Although Pedro was faithful to his father, the desire of the Portuguese courts to repatriate him (including demoting him from prince regent to governor-of-arms, that is, a mere military commander of the Portuguese Army, no longer holding any political position) and to return Brazil to its former colonial status led him to stay in Brazil and rebel. During the war of independence that ensued – which began with the expulsion of the Portuguese troops from Pernambuco in 1821 – the Brazilian Army was formed by hiring mercenaries, enlisting civilians and some Portuguese colonial troops.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The army immediately opposed the Portuguese forces, which controlled some parts of the country, namely, in the then provinces of Cisplatina (present-day Uruguay), Bahia, Piauí, Maranhão and Grão-Pará. At the same time that the conflict was taking place, a revolutionary movement broke out in Pernambuco and other neighboring provinces, which intended to form their own country, the Confederation of the Equator, with a republican government, but it was harshly repressed. After four years of conflict, Portugal finally recognized Brazil's independence and the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance was signed between the two countries on 29 August 1825. In exchange for recognition as a sovereign state, Brazil committed to paying a substantial compensation to Portugal and signing two treaties with the United Kingdom by which it agreed to ban the Atlantic slave trade and grant preferential tariffs to British goods imported into the country. Officially, the date celebrated for Brazil's independence is 7 September 1822, when the event known as the Cry of Ipiranga took place on the banks of the Ipiranga brook in the city of São Paulo.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1807: 1807 Milestone — In 1807, the French army invaded Portugal, which had refused to participate in the continental blockade against the United Kingdom.
2. 1815: 1815 Milestone — The installation of the House of Appeals and other public bodies of the Portuguese government in Rio de Janeiro represented a series of political, economic and social transformations that led to then prince regent John of Braganza (later King John VI of Portugal), to elevate the State of Brazil to the status of a kingdom on 16 December 1815, united with its former metropole.
3. 1820: 1820 Milestone — In 1820, a liberal revolution broke out in Portugal and the royal family was forced to return to Lisbon.
4. 1821: 1821 Milestone — During the war of independence that ensued – which began with the expulsion of the Portuguese troops from Pernambuco in 1821 – the Brazilian Army was formed by hiring mercenaries, enlisting civilians and some Portuguese colonial troops.
5. 1822: 1822 Milestone — It is celebrated on 7 September, the date in 1822 when prince regent Pedro of Braganza, beside the Ipiranga brook, declared independence from Portugal – a declaration that became known as the Cry of Ipiranga.
6. 1825: 1825 Milestone — Formal recognition by Portugal came with the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, signed in 1825.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Independence of Brazil

True or False: “Did the initial declaration of independence on September 7, 1822, immediately result in full international recognition from Portugal?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): No, formal recognition by Portugal was not achieved until the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance in 1825.

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