The authoritarianism that marked the process of granting the Constitution of 1824 inaugurated a phase in the political history of Brazil, where political centralization has become a severely questioned. Even with some principles of a liberal nature, the Constitution of 1824 was also marked by a series of provisions contrary to its apparent liberalism. The centralization of powers ended up generating the dissatisfaction of many of the political representatives of the period.
Taken by this contradictory orientation of its constitutional charter, the government of Dom Pedro I ended up being the target of several political attacks as well as revolts. In that same year, inspired by the uprisings of 1817, a group of inhabitants of Pernambuco started an anti-monarchist movement. Such opposition originated in the constant crises of the regional economy and the tax burdens imposed by the government.
As if their desolate situation were not enough, the people of Pernambuco felt the weight of real authoritarianism when D. Pedro I deposed the then governor, Manuel de Carvalho Paes de Andrade, and appointed a replacement for the position. The change of government would be the last episode that preceded the formation of the movement that became known as Confederation of Ecuador, this one earned this name due to its geographical proximity to the Line of Ecuador.
The Confederation, which began with the action of leaders and people from Pernambuco, soon took shape and won the adhesion of other northeastern states. Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Paraíba also joined the movement. Impassive to the Empire's negotiation attempts, the rebels sought to create a republican and liberal constitution. In addition, the new government resolved to abolish slavery and organized forces against the imperial troops.
After establishing the first actions of the Confederation, some of its leaders decided to abandon it. All this because some members of the revolt defended the radicalization of some actions of the new government. Frei Caneca, Cipriano Barata and Emiliano Munducuru believed that the expansion of political rights and reforms in the social field were urgent measures in the new established power. With that, the elite members who supported the Confederacy withdrew from the uprising.
On the other hand, the imperial government took severe measures against the separatist movement. Dom Pedro I borrowed from England and hired English mercenaries to fight the rebels. Not resisting the internal weakening of the movement and the harsh imperial reaction, the Confederation of Ecuador had its end. Sixteen involved were accused and executed by the Empire's judicial institutions. Among them, Friar Caneca had the penalty of death by firing squad.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/a-confederacao-equador.htm
