Liberal Wars

Quick Facts: Who was Liberal Wars?

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Liberal Wars

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A Portuguese civil war (1828–1834) between liberal constitutionalists and conservative traditionalists.

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Origins & Early Life

The Liberal Wars (Portuguese: Guerras Liberais), also known as the Portuguese Civil War (Guerra Civil Portuguesa) and the War of the Two Brothers (Guerra dos Dois Irmãos) was a civil war in Portugal that lasted from May 1828 to May 1834, fought between liberal progressive constitutionalists (led by former King Pedro IV) and conservative traditionalists (led by King Miguel I) over the country's system of government and royal succession. Embroiled parties included the Kingdom of Portugal, Portuguese rebels, the United Kingdom, France, the Catholic Church, Spain and Russia. The death of King John VI in 1826 created a dispute over royal succession. While Dom Pedro, the Emperor of Brazil, was the king's oldest son, his younger brother Miguel contended that Pedro had forfeited his claim to the throne by declaring Brazilian independence and by declaring war on the Kingdom of Portugal, therefore violating the succession rules mentioned in the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom. Pedro briefly entitled himself King Pedro IV of Portugal.

Career & Major Achievements

Neither the Portuguese nor the Brazilians wanted a unified monarchy; consequently, in 1826 Pedro revised the first constitution of Portugal granted in 1822 and abdicated the throne in favor of his daughter, Maria, a child of 7, while establishing his sister Isabel Maria as regent. In the Portuguese Constitutional Charter, Pedro attempted to reconcile traditionalists and liberals by allowing both factions a role in the government. Unlike the Constitution of 1822, this new document established four branches of government. The Legislature was divided into two chambers. The upper chamber, the Chamber of Peers, was composed of life and hereditary peers and clergy appointed by the king.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, was composed of 111 deputies elected to four-year terms by the indirect vote of local assemblies, which in turn were elected by a limited suffrage of male tax-paying property owners. Judicial power was exercised by the courts; executive power by the ministers of the government; and moderative power by the king, who held an absolute veto over all legislation. The traditionalist party of the landowners and the Church, however, were not satisfied with this compromise, and they continued to regard Miguel as the legitimate successor to the throne on the grounds that according to the Portuguese succession rules (approved by the Cortes after the 1640 Restoration), Pedro had lost the right to the Portuguese crown, and therefore to choose a successor, when he took possession of a foreign crown (Brazil). They were alarmed by the liberal reforms that had been initiated in Spain by the detested Revolutionary French (reforms from which the Portuguese feudal aristocracy had been spared) and took heart at the recent restoration of the autocratic Ferdinand VII in Spain (1823) who was eradicating all the Napoleonic innovations. In February 1828, Miguel returned to Portugal, ostensibly to take the oath of allegiance to the Charter and assume the regency.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1640: 1640 Milestone — The traditionalist party of the landowners and the Church, however, were not satisfied with this compromise, and they continued to regard Miguel as the legitimate successor to the throne on the grounds that according to the Portuguese succession rules (approved by the Cortes after the 1640 Restoration), Pedro had lost the right to the Portuguese crown, and therefore to choose a successor, when he took possession of a foreign crown (Brazil).
2. 1822: 1822 Milestone — Unlike the Constitution of 1822, this new document established four branches of government.
3. 1823: 1823 Milestone — They were alarmed by the liberal reforms that had been initiated in Spain by the detested Revolutionary French (reforms from which the Portuguese feudal aristocracy had been spared) and took heart at the recent restoration of the autocratic Ferdinand VII in Spain (1823) who was eradicating all the Napoleonic innovations.
4. 1826: 1826 Milestone — The death of King John VI in 1826 created a dispute over royal succession.
5. 1828: 1828 Milestone — The Liberal Wars (Portuguese: Guerras Liberais), also known as the Portuguese Civil War (Guerra Civil Portuguesa) and the War of the Two Brothers (Guerra dos Dois Irmãos) was a civil war in Portugal that lasted from May 1828 to May 1834, fought between liberal progressive constitutionalists (led by former King Pedro IV) and conservative traditionalists (led by King Miguel I) over the country's system of government and royal succession.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Liberal Wars

True or False: “The Liberal Wars were fought solely over the issue of establishing a unified monarchy in Portugal.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While succession was central, the conflict also revolved around the fundamental system of government—specifically, whether to adopt liberal constitutionalism or return to absolutist rule.

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