Week 4: An Experiment in Decentralisation

Last week… independence and aftermath Arrival of Portuguese court to Rio; 1815 United Kingdom arrangement; eventual break in 1822 Change or continuity? Who drove independence? Who benefited? Where are ORDINARY PEOPLE in this picture?

Problems of the First Empire, 1822-1831 Regional revolts: 1824 Pernambuco (again) 1825 War with Argentina over Cisplatine Province Economy doing badly; over-dependence on the British Strong anti-Portuguese sentiment; March 1831 “noites das garrafadas” (5-day riot in Rio) Conflict between elite factions and D. Pedro; Portuguese monarchists force his return, 1831

English: Brazilian Imperial Army attacks the confederate forces in Recife, 1824. Português: Combate entre rebeldes e legalistas na luta dos Afogados. Exército Imperial do Brasil ataca as forças confederadas no Recife, 1824. Author Leandro Martins. Wikipedia Commons.

Elite political divisions Moderate liberals : Pedro II, independence, individual liberties Absolutists: unison with Portugal under Pedro I; subordinate individual freedom to monarchy Exaltados: provincial freedoms, even separate Republics  Conservatives / Liberals

1830s: experiment with decentralization 1834 Additional Act: greater powers to provinces, can choose provincial assemblies Disastrous for central government: series of massive regional revolts Idea was to strengthen central government but backfires Put down violently/ brutally

Brazilian troops getting ready to go to the provinces. English: Third Batallion of the Brazilian Army in São Cristóvão (Saint Cristopher), Rio de Janeiro. Português: Terceiro batalhão do Exército brasileiro em São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro. Date 1835 Source Nossa História, ano 3, nº 26, dez/2005

The War of the Cabanos: Pernambuco, 1832-5 , 1832-5: Happens after Pedro I leaves but before 1834 Additional Act demand return of Pedro I [monarchist: OPPOSITE of the Confederation of the Equator project in the 1820s] Joined by lower orders: Indians, slaves Weakened by death of Pedro I; crushed

War of Cabanagem, Belém, 1835-40: Belém: port city on mouth of Amazon Initially, fighting between monarchists & regionalists Strong pro/ anti Portuguese aspects (port city; Portuguese merchants) Escalates into broader social struggle 30,000 die (1/5 of province’s population)

Johann Bachta. Typical scene that formed the backdrop for the rebellion of the cabanos in Maranhao.

The Sabinada, 1837-8 (Bahia) Rebellious tradition in Bahia: (Tailors’ Conspiracy 1798; independence struggles 1822-3; the revolt of the MALÊS, in 1835 Sparked by attempts at military recruitment in the province “Bahian republic” declared by rebels headed by Dr Sabino Vieira Familiar pattern: Non-white masses join; 1,800 killed Spectre of “race war”

Balaiada, 1838-41 (Maranhão) Local political struggles between elites… Economic crisis for COTTON due to competition with US Region well-known for banditry; becomes general social rebellion 3,000 rebel slaves (under leader Cosme Bento) capture the town of Caxias in Maranhão; counter-insurgency campaign; imperial army recaptures the town commander of Brigadier Luis Alves de Lima e Silva becomes Baron of Caxias as reward

Basket (balaio) weavers, C19

War of the Farrapos (Rio Grande do Sul) 1835-1845 Rebels declare independent republic Partly about control of leather/ meat trade Delicate border position next to Uruguay Military defeat under Baron of Caxias Plus: amnesty

The war of the Farrapos

Meanwhile: slave rebellion in Bahia (1835) A “regional revolt” of sorts? Or different? Mainly Muslim slaves: defeated Yoruba sold into trade from today’s Nigeria João José Reis Slave Rebellion in Brazil is best reference (see article for seminar reading today too) Contributes to fear around race/ social rebellion Decision to END the trade in 1850 is arguably product of 1835 revolt (plus disease; “Africanisation”; British pressure)

Confronto entre tropas da Guarda Nacional e negros.

Re-centralization, 1840-1850 1840 Additional Act revoked 1840 Pedro II crowned 1848-1850: Praieira revolt, Pernambuco: - Conservative / Liberal rivalry - anti-Portuguese rioting - demand for federalism, end to “moderating power,” expulsion of Portuguese - crushed 1850; last of big challenges to nation-state

D. Pedro II in 1837