The Regency Period (1831 – 1840) characterizes a period of great turmoil in Brazil and the First Kingdom , governed by D. Pedro I, and the Second Kingdom , governed by his son, D. Pedro II.
Features
Following several problems faced by the empire of D. Pedro I and, at the moment when the emperor loses his popularity, he decides to award the throne. At that time, however, his heir – D. Pedro II could not rule because he was a child only 5 years old. The solution was to form a Regency until D. Pedro II reached the age of majority.
The Regencies
The Regency Period can be divided into:
- Provisional Trinity Regency (April to July 1831)
- Permanent Trinity Regency (1831 to 1834)
- One Regency of Father Feijó (1835 – 1837)
- Una Regência de Araújo Lima (1837 – 1840)
Political groups of the Regency Period
At that time, there were three political groups each defending a different government position:
- Moderate liberals (also known as ximangos) – These defended political centralism, the monarchy;
- Exalted liberals (also known as farroupilhas) – Defended the revision of the policy and the end of the monarchy;
- Restorers (also known as caramurus) – They were against political reform and were in favor of the return of D. Pedo I.
Revolutions of the Regency Period
The consequence of this power struggle is political instability. In addition to this issue, the precarious conditions of a large part of the population give rise to a series of conflicts:
- Cabanagem , in the Province of Grão-Pará (1835 – 1840);
- Guerra dos Farrapos (or Farroupilha Revolution), in the Province of São Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul (1835 – 1845);
- Malês revolt , Bahia Province (1835);
- Sabinada , in the Province of Bahia (1837 – 1838);
- Balaiada , in the Maranhão Province (1838 – 1841).
In order to end all this discontent, disorder and agitation, the Liberal Party provides a situation that signals the end of the Regency Period, the Majority Coup , declaring D. Pedro II of age at 14 years of age. A year later, D. Pedro begins to govern Brazil and the Second Reign begins .