Throughout the regency period, disputes between political trends promoted the installation of an unstable climate. On the one hand, liberals defended the granting of greater freedoms to local governments with the creation of legislative powers and the election of regency assemblies. On the other hand, conservatives understood that the maintenance of a centralized political system was a fundamental presupposition for the territorial and political unity to be safely preserved.
In the midst of this contention, the liberals achieved a first victory by passing the so-called Additional Act in 1834. Under the amendment, the provinces could organize their own legislative assemblies. However, just six years later, conservatives responded with the Interpretative Act of the Additional Act. According to the new text, the rights of local assemblies would be restricted and the central executive branch would have greater powers.
Parallel to this political competition, several provinces were the stage of violent rebellions that responded to the lack of control and the economic crisis that was taking shape in the country. In this context, it was more difficult to sustain the conservative hegemony in the main regency positions. As early as 1839, liberal politicians devised a movement defending the anticipation of the coming of age of Dom Pedro II, who was then only fourteen years old.
The intention of the liberals was to support the arrival of D. Pedro II to the government, taking advantage of his inexperience to assume important political functions. In the beginning of 1840, the liberal politician Antônio Carlos de Andrada e Silva created the so-called Clube da Maioridade. With the support of the press, the proposal for anticipation gained the streets of the capital and incited some demonstrations of popular support. For many, the young and educated image of D. Pedro II represented an attempt at political and social ordering.
The movement was not opposed by conservatives, who could easily be accused of repudiating the monarchic regime. In May 1840, a bill presented to the Chamber requested the anticipation of Dom Pedro II's majority. On July 23, with the express agreement of the young monarch, the fragile conservative government approved the measure. At that time, the Second Reign inaugurated one of the most extensive phases in our political history.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/o-golpe-maioridade.htm
