Pernambucan Revolt

Quick Facts: Who was Pernambucan Revolt?

Subject:

Pernambucan Revolt

Known for:

A major 1817 separatist uprising in Pernambuco, Brazil, fueled by liberal ideas and economic distress.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Pernambucan revolution, also known as the Priest's Revolution or Seventeen, occurred in the Captaincy of Pernambuco in the Northeastern region of Brazil, and was sparked mainly by the decline of sugar production rates and the influence of the Freemasonry in the region. Other important reasons for the revolt include: the ongoing struggle for the independence of Spanish colonies all over in South America; the independence of the United States; the generally liberal ideas that came through all of Brazil the century before, including many French Philosophers, such as Montesquieu and Rousseau; the actions of secret societies, which insisted on the liberation of the colony; the development of a distinct culture in Pernambuco. The movement was led by Domingos José Martins, with the support of Antônio Carlos Ribeiro de Andrada and Frei Caneca. The Consulate General of the United States in Recife, America's oldest diplomatic post in the Southern Hemisphere, publicly supported the Pernambucan revolutionaries. This revolution is also notable for being one of the first attempts to establish an independent government in Brazil, as it was preceded by the Inconfidência Mineira.

Career & Major Achievements

Contrasting with the Inconfidência Mineira, that at its demise culminated in the killing of a lower class white man (Tiradentes) or the Revolt of the Tailors, whose leaders that where killed were mostly black young men, the Pernambucan revolt ended up with the killing of white, higher-class ringleaders. The revolt can be traced from the presence of the Portuguese royal family in Brazil, which mostly benefited the plantation owners, merchants and bureaucrats of the Central and Southern regions of the country. The inhabitants of other regions, namely the Northeast, were not satisfied by the monarch's stay, given that southern Brazilians generally had knowledge of the favors and new privileges conceded to them by the Portuguese monarch from which they had received great wealth. The northern Brazilians were generally separated from the monarch, and the benefits thereof, but, at the same time, had the responsibility to support him. Another group not content with the politics of the King John VI of Portugal and Brazil were military officials of Brazilian descent.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In order to protect the cities and provide aid in military actions in French Guiana and in the region of Prata, John brought troops from Portugal in order to organize military forces reserving the highest military ranks for the Portuguese nobility. Because of this, the level of taxes steadily rose as the colony was forced to maintain the expenditures of the military campaigns. The historical analyst, Maria Odila Silva Dias, remarked that "in order to cover the costs of installing public works and civil servants, taxes on the export of sugar, tobacco and leather were increased, creating a series of troubles that directly affected the capitanias of the North, which the Court did not hesitate to burden with the violence of recruitment and with contributions to cover the expenses of war in the kingdom, in Guiana and in the Prata region. For the governors and functionaries of various capitanias, turning to Lisboa or to Rio was the same thing." Another factor was the conception of "Brazil". Until then, "Brazil" was a generic name to several Portuguese possessions on the New World, and even the United States referred to those possessions as plural, "Brazils'".

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Pernambucan Revolt

True or False: “The Pernambucan Revolt was the first major attempt to establish an independent government in Brazil.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): It was not the first; it was preceded by the Inconfidência Mineira.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Gottlob Werner — Historical peer (Died in 1817) (1817): Pioneering German geologist, known for establishing early theories of Earth's crust.
• Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg — Historical peer (Born in 1817) (1817): Grand Duke of Luxembourg, ruling from 1890 until his death in 1905.
• Pernambuco — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A state on Brazil's east coast, historically vital for sugarcane cultivation.
• Pero Vaz de Caminha — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Portuguese knight famous for documenting the discovery of Brazil for Portugal.
• Perry Como — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Iconic American vocalist known for his smooth, easy-listening pop style.
• Perry Expedition — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: US Navy expedition that forced open Japan's isolation policy in the mid-19th century.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pernambucan Revolt