The history of Brazil is marked by revolutionary periods that aimed at abysmal changes in the political and economic spheres. One of the conflicting moments with a large national dimension was the so-called Farroupilha Revolution or Farrapos War. This revolutionary movement that took place in Rio Grande do Sul and part of Santa Catarina had as its point culminating the centralizing and authoritarian policy adopted by the regency government that was in force between the years of 1831 to 1840.
The Farrapos War was known for being part of the so-called provincial rebellions - period of history of Brazil in which some provinces fought against the central government and its policies centralizers. However, Farroupilha stood out for its intensity and duration in the struggle against the ruling government, taking place between the years of 1835 and 1845, totaling ten years of combat. One of the symbolic characteristics of this movement was the use of rags tied to soldiers' clothes, which was a way for them to identify themselves and justified the movement's name.
Among the reasons that led to this movement, we can highlight the disastrous economic measure adopted by the central government to reduce customs tariffs to products referring to the countries of the Plata region, such as Argentina and Uruguay, which generated competition to the jerky economy (production of dried meat) in the province of Rio Great South. In addition, there was also the appointment, by the central government, of the President of the Southern Province without an agreement with the gaúcho elites, generating antagonisms of opinion. Therefore, under the military leadership of Bento Gonçalves, the ranchers engineered a movement to contest these authoritarian policies adopted by the regency.
It was at the time of structuring the movement to demand changes that the foreigners devised a liberal and separatist policy, that is, one of the objectives of the leaders of the Farrapos War was to gain full autonomy from the central government and, for that, independence and proclamation of the republic of Rio Grande do Sul were necessary, as that way the province would be able to create better economic policies for the region.
The number of soldiers and the good structure of the army of the Farrapos, led by the combatant Giuseppe Garibaldi, contributed to the rebellion extending for ten long years, as the poor who made up the movement saw the independence of the province and, consequently, the proclamation of the Rio Grandense Republic as a way to improve their social conditions.
However, the central government adopted a coercive measure against the Farrapos and their separatist ideals, as there was a possibility of disintegration of the Brazilian territory. And it was to eliminate this danger that the regency appointed Commander Luís Alves de Lima e Silva to defend the political interests of the central government. However, with the clash between the two sides and after several deaths on the battle lines, the members of the regency and the leaders of the Farrapos reached an agreement to end another bloody chapter in the history of the Brazil.
The government backed down with the customs measure on products from the Plata region with the aim of pacifying tempers; and, through an agreement between the sides, the rebels obtained an amnesty and the rebellion came to an end. Therefore, the Farrapos War was a revolt of a liberal character, as it fought against the extremely conservative and centralizing measures adopted by the Brazilian central government.
By Fabricio Santos
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/ideologia-rev-farroupilha.htm
