After the independence process, the national political scene was fragmented into two larger sectors that competed for power among themselves. On the one hand, liberal-minded politicians defended the political autonomy of the provinces and the reform of the old practices introduced during colonization. On the other, the Portuguese defended a centralized political structure and the maintenance of the privileges they enjoyed before independence.
With the departure of Dom Pedro I from the government and the installation of the regency governments, the dispute between these two political groups intensified to the point of triggering several rebellions throughout Brazil. In the Mato Grosso region, the struggle between liberals and conservatives was represented, respectively, by the “Sociedade dos Zelosos da Independência” and the “Philanthropic Society”. In the year 1834, disputes in that province culminated in a violent confrontation that earned the name Rusga.
According to surveys, the liberals of Mato Grosso organized a huge uprising that intended to remove the Portuguese from power by force of arms. However, before it happened, local authorities learned of the combined uprising. With this, in an attempt to dismantle the movement, they decided to place Lieutenant Colonel João Poupino Caldas – an ally of the liberals – as the new governor of the province. Despite the change, the anger of the rebels was not contained.
In the early morning hours of May 30, 1834, to the sound of gunfire and words of repudiation against the Portuguese, around eighty rebels left Campo do Ourique and took over the Barracks of the Municipal Guards. In this way, they managed to contain the reaction of the official soldiers and took to the streets of the capital in search of the "bicudos". “Bicudo” was a derogatory term directed at the Portuguese that was inspired by the name of the pioneer Manuel de Campos Bicudo, the first white man to settle in the region.
The order of the “rusguentos” was to sack the Portuguese house and kill each one who got in their way, taking as a trophy the ear of each dead enemy. According to some reports, hundreds of people were killed by the violent action that terrorized the streets of Cuiabá. Soon after the incident, arrangements were made for the leaders and participants of Rusga to be arrested and tried by the authorities.
At first, Poupino Caldas wanted to get around the situation without denouncing what had happened to the regency government agencies. However, not enduring the chaotic state that had taken hold in the city, he asked for help from the central government, which – immediately – appointed Antônio Pedro de Alencastro as the new governor of the province. With the help of the former liberal leadership, the leaders of the movement were arrested and sent to Rio de Janeiro.
Although none of those involved suffered any kind of punishment from the authorities, the climate of political dispute continued to develop in Cuiabá. The last chapter of this revolt took place in 1836, when João Poupino Caldas – politically discredited – decided to leave the province. On the exact day of his departure, a mysterious conspirator shot him in the back with a silver bullet. At the time, this type of projectile was especially used to kill someone who was considered a traitor.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/rusga-mato-grosso.htm
