Brazilian Independence
Brazilian Independence
A critical review of “The Cambridge History of Latin America
(From Idependence to c. 1870), By Leslie Bethell
In this paper I will explain and highlight main arguments of Brazilian independence according to Leslie Bethell. The Brazilian independence was certainly not as violent as in the other Latin American countries and the independence was a final product of many events and influences. I will go through the economic situation Brazil was facing in terms of export and imports, followed by the installment of Portuguese Dom João in Rio de Janeiro, because of the Napoleon wars going on in Europe at the time and finally concluding on what finally gave Brazil independence in 1822.
Economically, Brazil was major compared …show more content…
The Portuguese leader Dom Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho, saw early on that Brazilian independence was just a matter of time. Therefore he suggested that regent Dom João should give up his residence in Portugal and move the apparatus to Brazil as a final option instead of being taken over by Napoleon. On August 12th 1807 Napoleon issued an ultimatum to the Portuguese foreign minister, he could either; close the ports to British ships, imprison all English residents and confiscate their property or face a French invasion. Britain backed the idea of leaving Portugal up and offered protection. For a while, Dom João tried to adopt anti-British policies, but already in November he learned that Generel Junot was marching on to Portugal with 23.000 men. After the French troops entering Portugal Dom João made the decision of leaving Portugal. In late November the regent and an apparatus of 10-15.000 people left for Brazil accompanied with British …show more content…
Although Dom João had other plans and decided to stay and later on raising the Brazil to the status of Kingdom - thereby being equal to Portugal legally. In response to the decreasing colonial power a liberal-nationalsts opposition raised in Oporto and the Junta Provosoria was proposing a new constitution where the Cortes was to be elected for the Portuguese world. It became clear that the Portuguese intentions with Brazil were only to recapture Brazil and make it serve Portuguese interests. In general all the Portuguese attempts to lower the new status of Brazil and it’s political and economical opportunities were not successful. Trying to re-impose the heavy taxation and tariffs on Brazil only gave the Brazilians and even bigger incentive to gain
A critical review of “The Cambridge History of Latin America
(From Idependence to c. 1870), By Leslie Bethell
In this paper I will explain and highlight main arguments of Brazilian independence according to Leslie Bethell. The Brazilian independence was certainly not as violent as in the other Latin American countries and the independence was a final product of many events and influences. I will go through the economic situation Brazil was facing in terms of export and imports, followed by the installment of Portuguese Dom João in Rio de Janeiro, because of the Napoleon wars going on in Europe at the time and finally concluding on what finally gave Brazil independence in 1822.
Economically, Brazil was major compared …show more content…
The Portuguese leader Dom Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho, saw early on that Brazilian independence was just a matter of time. Therefore he suggested that regent Dom João should give up his residence in Portugal and move the apparatus to Brazil as a final option instead of being taken over by Napoleon. On August 12th 1807 Napoleon issued an ultimatum to the Portuguese foreign minister, he could either; close the ports to British ships, imprison all English residents and confiscate their property or face a French invasion. Britain backed the idea of leaving Portugal up and offered protection. For a while, Dom João tried to adopt anti-British policies, but already in November he learned that Generel Junot was marching on to Portugal with 23.000 men. After the French troops entering Portugal Dom João made the decision of leaving Portugal. In late November the regent and an apparatus of 10-15.000 people left for Brazil accompanied with British …show more content…
Although Dom João had other plans and decided to stay and later on raising the Brazil to the status of Kingdom - thereby being equal to Portugal legally. In response to the decreasing colonial power a liberal-nationalsts opposition raised in Oporto and the Junta Provosoria was proposing a new constitution where the Cortes was to be elected for the Portuguese world. It became clear that the Portuguese intentions with Brazil were only to recapture Brazil and make it serve Portuguese interests. In general all the Portuguese attempts to lower the new status of Brazil and it’s political and economical opportunities were not successful. Trying to re-impose the heavy taxation and tariffs on Brazil only gave the Brazilians and even bigger incentive to gain