O Governing Period (1831-1840) was the time when Brazil was ruled by regency, as the heir to the throne was a minor.
This period is characterized by moments of great turmoil in Brazil with several civil revolts.
Ends with the Coup of Majority that led to the throne D. Pedro II at the age of fourteen.
Governing Period Characteristics
Dom Pedro I faced several internal problems such as lack of support from economic and external elites, such as the defeat in the Cisplatin War.
Furthermore, with the death of Dom João VI, in Portugal, he had been acclaimed D. Pedro IV of Portugal.
At this moment when the emperor loses his popularity, he decides to abdicate the Brazilian throne. At that time, however, his heir, D. Pedro II could not govern because he was 5 years old. The solution, provided for by the Constitution of 1824, was to form a Regency until D. Pedro II reached the age of majority.
Revolts of the Regency Period
A time of great power struggle and political instability opens, giving rise to a series of conflicts:
- cabin, in the Province of Grão-Pará (1835 – 1840);
- War of the Rags (or Farroupilha Revolution), in the Province of São Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul (1835 – 1845);
- Malês revolt, Province of Bahia (1835);
- Sabinada, in the Province of Bahia (1837 – 1838);
- Balaiada, in the Province of Maranhão (1838 – 1841).
The Regency
The Regency Period had the following terms:
- Provisional Triune Regency (April to July 1831)
- Permanent Triune Regency (1831 to 1834)
- Una Regency of Father Feijó (1835 – 1837)
- Regency Una de Araújo Lima (1837 – 1840)
Political Groups of the Regency Period
At that time, there were three political groups each defending a distinct government position:
moderate liberals (also known as ximangos): they defended the political centralism of the constitutional monarchy;
exalted liberals (nicknamed farroupilhas): they defended the federalization of the government, with more powers for the provinces and the end of the Moderating Power.
Restorers (or caramurus): they were in favor of the return of D. Request I. After the latter's death in 1834, several members joined the party of moderate liberals.
National Guard (1831)
In 1831 the National Guard was created to counterbalance the power the Army had in government. This armed corps would be made up of citizens who had the right to vote, that is, the Brazilian elite. would play an important role in Brazilian politics.
See more: National guard
Additional Act (1834)
The Additional Act was a set of liberal proposals introduced in the 1824 Constitution.
Among these measures, we can highlight the creation of Provincial Legislative Assemblies whose deputies they would have a two-year term and the provincial governments could create taxes, hire and fire employees.
It was also determined that regency would be exercised by one person and not three. The first conductor was Father Antônio Feijó.
See more: Additional Act of 1834
End of Regency Period
The consequences of political instability are the regency revolts that took place in various parts of Brazil, as we saw above.
With the objective of putting an end to the disorder and agitation, which would lead to the disintegration of the Brazilian territory, the Liberal Party proposes that the majority of D. Pedro II is anticipated.
The idea is put to a vote in the Chamber, but is not approved. In this way, the politicians plot the Coup of Majority, declaring D. Pedro II of legal age at 14 years of age.
A year later, D. Pedro begins to govern Brazil and the Second Reign begins.
We have more texts on the subject for you:
- Dom Pedro II
- Coup of Age
- second reign
