1. The Brazilian Revolution
Sanya Bhartiya, Kimberly Doak, Marisa Lange, Ian Liaw, Sara Mesko, Autumn Silva, Lewin Wu, and Sam Cohen

2. Context
Napoleon invaded Portugal; the royal court fled to Brazil and established a government
The king of Portugal returned to Portugal after a constitutionalist movement there, leaving his son Pedro as regent
At this point, Mexico and almost all of South America had gained independence from Spain
This was also triggered by the American Revolution, which inspired republicanism in Latin America
The majority of Brazil were African slaves, but it was still ruled by the castas system and a social hierarchy in which plantation owners were at the top of society
Brazil’s economy was hurt because its gold deposits were depleted, and gold was a major export
But, Portugal was weakened by Napoleon’s attack and lack of proper leadership for several years

3. Causes of the Revolution
Longterm:
Tiradentes first rebellion attempt against Portuguese in 1789
The fleeing of the Portuguese royal court to Brazil
The establishment of King Dom Joao’s Brazilian Colony
Shorterm:
Brazilian Creoles call and fight for independence
Prince Pedro est. the Patriarch of Independence
Emperor Pedro declared Brazil independent in 1822
The US becomes the first nation to recognize Brazil as an official nation in 1824, followed by Portugal and other European nations

4. Goals of the Revolution
Brazil wanted to gained independence from Portugal
Wanted to be seen as a separate country

5. Results of the Revolution
Brazil gained independence from Portugal
Brazil became a constitutional monarchy
Besides being independent, Brazil remains the same:
Catholicism remains (due to Dom Pedro being catholic)
Slavery remains - isn’t fully abandoned till 1888 (due to caste system)
Caste system still in place - Plantation owners are on the top
Stayed an agricultural economy (sugar, cotton, coffee)

6. Important People and Their Roles
Jose Joaquim da Silva Xavier (Tiradentes), instigated the first rebellion against Portugal in 1789 for independence.
Napoleon I, invaded Portugal causing the royal family to flee to Brazil.
King John IV (Dom Joao), ruled Brazil as prince regent, he made numerous reforms until Brazil had more freedoms; however, he returned to Portugal after a constitutional movement. He left his son Prince Pedro (Dom Pedro) in charge of Brazil. (created the Kingdom of Brazil)
Prince Pedro declared independence from Portugal; however, was greatly influenced by the people of Brazil. Prince Pedro became the first emperor of Brazil. (Empire of Brazil)

7. Timeline
King Dom Joao VI made his son Dom Pedro the Regent Prince of Brazil.
Portugal experiences a Constitutional Revolution.
April King Dom Joao VI deports to Portugal, leaving his son in charge of Brazil. Brazil’s status changed from a kingdom of Portugal to a colony.
September Brazil was under political subordination to Portugal, and Dom Pedro governed only Rio de Janeiro, a province of Brazil. This humiliated Pedro.
September Dom Pedro received a letter from Portugal informing him that he is stirped of any political power. Pedro’s response to this was breaking ties with Portugal and preparing to declare independence.
October Dom Pedro declares himself as Dom Pedro I, emperor of Brazil, and independence of Brazil as an empire.

8. Conclusion: Change, or lack thereof
Government: Became constitutional monarchy, but Pedro served as emperor, so essentially no change
Citizenship and Rights: Essentially no change because the plantation and castas systems remained in place, and there is no universal suffrage
Economic and Social Changes: Essentially no change because the plantation and castas systems remained in place, and patriarchy persisted; however, creoles did gain some power
Slavery: Brazil was the last New World state to abolish slavery because this revolution was not won by the lower members of the social or racial hierarchy

9. Conclusion: Borrowing Tactics
Brazil’s independence was different than others in that a peninsulare was willing to agree to independence in exchange for his own power and essentially nothing in Brazilian society changed after the revolution.
However, the initial party and constitutionalist movement in 1820 was influenced by the other revolutions happening in Latin America as well as the ideals of the American Revolution.
Brazil’s revolution was not the forefront of inspiration for others.

10. Fate of the Losers
The “losers”, meaning Portugal, were already affected because Portugal itself had had a constitutionalist movement in 1820, which was the reason why the king returned to Portugal. However, after the Brazilian Revolution, Spain had a sharp return to absolute monarchy, as did Portugal. Because Brazil was in economic decline, Portugal was not as harshly affected by its loss as one might think, but it still suffered a great loss of income.

11. Comparison to the American and French revolutions
French revolution was a revolt initiated by the 3rd estate in order to take power from the monarchy and gain equality for the lower class.
Brazilian revolution led by the nobility in hopes of gaining independence from Portugal
The French revolution changed the political structure of France as a result of the revolution
The Brazilian revolution did not drastically affect the political structure of Brazil at the time
The American revolution was also a revolution to gain independence from a mother country
The American revolution was also initiated by the lower class against nobility in England
Minimal bloodshed/less radical than France or America

12. Revolution or Independence movement. What changed?
The Brazilian revolution was more of an independence movement since not much changed other than the separation from Portugal
What changed?
Brazil becomes independent from Portugal
What stayed the same?
No change in citizenship and individual rights and there were basically no economic and social changes because the revolution was mainly to gain independence from Portugal

13. Global Impact
Depletion of Portuguese Economy → Growth of British Economy
Odd one out in Governmental style