Timeline | Before 1800 to After 1930 | PORTUGAL | POLITICAL CONTEXT

Date

Country | Theme | Description

1807 - 1816


Prince Regent João (João VI), who transferred the Portuguese court to Brazil 
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Portugal | Political Context

First Napoleonic invasion. Prince Regent João (1767–1826, crowned in 1816) transfers the court and the seat of political power to Brazil, avoiding being deposed and replaced by a Napoleonic nominee as in other European kingdoms. In Portugal, Beresford, the British governor, intervenes in Portuguese general politics disregarding national needs.

1817 - 1821


The Provisional Ruling Council arriving at Praça do Rossio (The Provisional Ruling Team attempted to govern the kingdom during King João VIs absence) 
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Portugal | Political Context

The emergence of liberal ideas. In Porto a Provisional Ruling Council is created (1820) and pursues the rebellion against British rule that started in Lisbon. Liberal revolution breaks out in Porto (August 1820), spreads to Lisbon, beginning the radical cycle known as Vintismo. King João VI is forced to return to Portugal from Brazil in 1821.

1822


Manuel Fernandes Tomás, One of the Principal Organisers of the 1820 Liberal Revolution, Speaking at the First Constituent Assembly 
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Portugal | Political Context

1 October: Inspired by Cadiz Constitution members of Parliament authored the first liberal Constitution. King João VI (1767-1826) promulgated the document on 1 October 1822, in Lisbon. Royal prerogatives and the nobles and clergy privileges were limited, though with a weak impact.

1822


Dom Pedro, Duke of Braganza [1798–1834] 
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Portugal | Political Context

King João VI asks his heir Prince Pedro, Duke of Braganza (1798–1834) to remain in Brazil. Part of the court decides to stay there. Facing revolt against the anti-Brazilian policy of Portugal, Pedro proclaims the independence of Brazil on 7 September (Grito do Ipiranga). In October he is acclaimed as the first Brazilian Emperor, Pedro I.

1826 - 1832


His Majesty, D. Pedro Restoring his Daughter Princess D. Maria II and the Constitutional Chart to the Portuguese, 1832 
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Portugal | Political Context

With the death of his father, Emperor Pedro I of Brazil becomes Pedro IV of Portugal but gives up the throne to his daughter, future Queen Maria II. The proclamation of a moderate Constitutional Charter does not stop the absolutist movement led by his brother, Prince Miguel (1802–66), who disregards the rights of his niece Princess Maria and Pedro’s decision.

1832 - 1834


Kssssse! Pedro… Ksssse! Ksssse! Miguel!. Cartoon of the dispute between King Pedro IV and his brother Miguel 
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Portugal | Political Context

Civil war. Pedro returns to Portugal as Regent to defend his daughter’s rights. He launches military operations from Azores and Porto against the absolutist faction of Prince Miguel favored by the Quadruple Alliance. After the Miguelists’ defeat, peace terms depend on the Évora-Monte Convention and Prince Miguel’s exile.

1834 - 1836


Portrait of Queen Maria II 
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Portugal | Political Context

Queen Maria II (1819–53) regains the crown after her father’s death and the liberals’ victory. The Queen has to cope with the transition from absolutism to constitutionalism and disputes between opposing factions, conservatives on one side (Cartismo supporters of the 1826 Charter) and radicals on the other (Vintismo defenders of the Constitution of 1822).

1836 - 1842


Bernardo de Sá Nogueira de Figueiredo (1795–1876), Marquis of Sá da Bandeira, promoter of the abolition of slavery 
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Portugal | Political Context

Period of Setembrismo: lower-middle-class rebellion against corruption and upper-middle-class privileges. An industrialisation process takes off to counteract foreign dominance. To overcome the loss of Brazilian revenues the colonisation of African possessions is boosted. The slave trade is prohibited in 1836 by abolitionist Marquis of Sá da Bandeira.

1842 - 1851


The Maria da Fonte Rebellion, which led to the fall of the Costa Cabral government 
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Portugal | Political Context

The period of Cabralismo, an authoritarian regime ruled by conservative Bernardo Costa Cabral who rehabilitates the 1826 Constitutional Charter but promoting the public infrastructures and fiscal code revision. Upper middle class and aristocracy regain state control and former privileges. Popular rebellions lead to the fall of his government.

1851 - 1868


António Maria Fontes Pereira de Melo, the promoter of Portugals modernisation 
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Portugal | Political Context

Regeneration, led mainly by Minister Fontes Pereira Melo (who gives the period name – Fontism) is a peaceful political cycle of global innovation started in 1851. The kingdom is tired of political unrest. Conditions are created for the middle classes and foreign investors to support economic expansion, the development of infrastructure and industrialisation.
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