História do Brasil: PRIMEIRO REINADO

Summary

The video script covers the First Reign in Brazil, focusing on the reign of Emperor Pedro I from 1822 to 1831. It explores the political struggles, including the creation of Brazil's first constitution, the authoritarian nature of Pedro I's rule, and the conflict with the elites. It also touches on external challenges, such as the Cisplatine War and the succession crisis in Portugal. The lecture highlights key events like the Confederation of the Equator and the eventual abdication of Pedro I in 1831, marking a turning point in Brazil's imperial history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The First Reign (1822-1831) is a crucial phase in Brazil's transition from a colony to an independent nation, following the declaration of independence in 1822.
• 😀 Brazil's independence was initially recognized by the United States and later by Portugal, with the latter requiring Brazil to pay an indemnity of 2 million pounds to secure formal recognition.
• 😀 The Constitution of 1824, also known as the 'Mandioca Constitution,' was imposed by Emperor Pedro I and introduced a highly centralized government with the creation of a 'moderator power' to control other branches of government.
• 😀 The Constitution of 1824 also established Catholicism as the official religion of Brazil and allowed for limited voting rights based on property ownership, excluding much of the population, especially the poor and enslaved individuals.
• 😀 Pedro I's rule faced strong internal opposition, including revolts like the Confederação do Equador (Confederation of the Equator), where rebellious regions like Pernambuco and Ceará declared a republic against his authoritarian rule.
• 😀 The Confederação do Equador was suppressed by military force, and its leaders, including Frei Caneca, were executed, further deepening Pedro I's unpopularity.
• 😀 External challenges, such as the Cisplatine War (1825-1828) over the region now known as Uruguay, added to the economic burden on Brazil, with Pedro I's failure to resolve the conflict leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
• 😀 Pedro I's struggle with the Portuguese throne, including a succession crisis after the death of his father, King João VI, also contributed to his weakening position in Brazil.
• 😀 Growing opposition and dissatisfaction with Pedro I's leadership led to public demonstrations, such as the 'Night of the Garrafadas,' which culminated in Pedro I's abdication in 1831.
• 😀 With Pedro I's abdication, Brazil entered a period of regency (1831-1840) with his young son, Pedro II, unable to rule until he reached adulthood, leading to further political instability.

Q & A

What event marks the beginning of the first Brazilian Empire?

The beginning of the first Brazilian Empire is marked by the declaration of Brazil's independence on September 7, 1822.

Why did the United States recognize Brazil's independence early on?

The United States recognized Brazil's independence because of its own political ideology, the Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to keep European influence out of the Americas and saw Brazil as a potential market for trade.

What was the condition imposed by Portugal for recognizing Brazil's independence?

Portugal recognized Brazil's independence in 1824 but imposed the condition that Brazil would pay an indemnity of 2 million pounds to Portugal.

How did Brazil handle the payment for the indemnity to Portugal?

Brazil borrowed the money from England to pay the indemnity to Portugal, but the Portuguese government never actually received the funds, as the money was used to settle Portugal's debt to England.

What was the purpose of the 1824 Brazilian Constitution, and why did Pedro I disagree with it?

The 1824 Constitution aimed to establish a legal framework for the new independent Brazilian state. It included the concept of limiting the emperor's power. Pedro I disagreed with it because it restricted his authority, leading to his autocratic actions like dissolving the constituent assembly.

What is the significance of the 'Power Moderator' in the 1824 Constitution?

The 'Power Moderator' created by the 1824 Constitution granted Pedro I significant power to control the other branches of government, functioning as a quasi-absolute authority, and centralizing political control in his hands.

What were the main characteristics of the 'Constitution of the Mandioca'?

The 'Constitution of the Mandioca' was an early draft where voting rights were determined by land ownership, particularly the amount of manioc (cassava) production, which indirectly indicated the number of slaves a person owned. This restricted voting rights to the wealthy landowners.

What led to the Confederação do Equador (Confederation of the Equator)?

The Confederação do Equador was a revolt in northeastern Brazil, sparked by dissatisfaction with Pedro I's centralization of power, his authoritarian policies, and his appointment of loyalists instead of local elites in political positions.

How did Pedro I respond to the Confederação do Equador?

Pedro I sent military forces to suppress the Confederação do Equador. The rebellion was crushed with violence, and key leaders, including Frei Caneca, were executed.

What external conflicts impacted Pedro I's reign, and how did they affect his government?

Pedro I faced external conflicts such as the War of Cisplatina (1825-1828), which involved Brazil losing territory to Argentina, and the succession crisis in Portugal. These conflicts drained resources and led to further dissatisfaction with his rule, especially because of the financial and military costs.