Throughout the 18th century, we observed the development of several conflict situations involving Brazilian settlers and the metropolitan administration. At that time, the increase in taxes, the rigor of inspection resulting from the gold mining and the decay of sugar were some of the reasons that surrounded the occurrence of these revolts. For some, this indicates the development of a process that contributed to the process of Brazilian independence.
Even though it seems plausible, we must point out that the recognition of a process becomes somewhat how complicated when we analyze the nature and differences that marked each of these rebellions colonial. Among other cases, we can note that the opposition between the 1789 Mineira Conjuration and the Bahia Conjuration of 1798 offers rich data in understanding these differences that go against the idea of a process in development.
Like most of our colonial revolts, the revolts, Minas Gerais and Bahia, were fueled by members of the elite dissatisfied with the metropolitan action in each of these regions. In the case of Minas, Vila Rica miners and other elite members were dissatisfied with fiscal policy and the collection of spills. On the other hand, the city of Salvador was the scene of a serious economic crisis that had dragged on since the sugar crisis and the transfer of the capital to Rio de Janeiro.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the participants in these same revolts were directly influenced by Enlightenment ideology. Once again, we note the elitist character of such movements, which were supported by a literate and, in some cases, educated elite in European universities. Thus, we observe that the social origin, analogous to these movements, would undertake the search for close objectives in each of them.
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However, despite an independent nation project, we see that the Conjuração Baiana and the Inconfidência Mineira were not separated only by a temporal hiatus. The lack of communication between colonization centers and the absence of a national feeling nullifies any possibility of considering that such rebels felt they belonged to a nation that deserved their independence. In most cases, autonomy was projected at the local level.
Among so many proximities, we see that the issue of slavery ended up being the point that came to establish a difference between these two revolts. In the case of Minas Gerais, limiting the movement to the discussions of an enriched elite ended up causing that slavery did not enter their agenda, since the end of it would harm a good part of the inconfident. In the case of Bahia, the dissemination of pamphlets ended up spreading the emancipationist cause among popular and pro-abolition sectors.
As the Conjuração Baiana gained more radical and popular contours, the intellectual leaders of the cause ended up moving away from the movement. Perhaps, like the inconfident Minas Gerais, they feared the effects of an emancipationist revolt led by the less favored layers of the population. Finally, we see that the Bahian revolt differed from the Minas conspiracy as the social agents of each event differed in their origins and interests.
By Rainer Sousa
Master in History
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUSA, Rainer Gonçalves. "Inconfidência Mineira x Conjuração Baiana"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/inconfidencia-mineira-x-conjuracao-baiana.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
