Short Term

 

The short term causes for the Brazilian Revolution are all related to the fact that Brazil had gained economic and political power, making it equal to Portugal.  However, when the Portuguese Royalty returned to Portugal, they attempted to limit their power and return it to its previous state of oppression.

 

1- Brazil elevated to the status of kingdom in 1815: When the Portuguese Royalty (Braganza Family) arrived in Portugal, they made Brazil equal to Portugal in order to not limit their power and also in fear the Portugal would be taken over while they were away effectively gaining control of Brazil.  When the threat from Napoleon subsided, the Braganzas attempted to take away all the rights Brazil had aquired while they were present, upsetting many Brazilians such as Dom Pedro, “It denied to it a delegation of the Executive Power, of which it stood so much in need, in order to develop all the force of which it is susceptible, considering the great distance that separates it from Portugal; leaving it without Laws suitable to its climate and local circumstances, and without available resources for its urgent necessities” (manifiesto of Dom Pedro)

 

2- New government was established: The Portuguese put Las Cortes in control and were attempting to limit the power of the crown in both Portugal and Brazil. This provoked the return of Dom Joao and most of his family to Portugal leaving his son as leader of Brazil.

 

3- Unfair Rules: Joao set reforms in Brazil and canceled regulations, completely ignoring the desires of the citizens and returning them to a state of opression.

 

4-Small Rebellions: Some of Joao's reforms, such as putting mercantilism back into effect, brought disadvantages to platation owners. This caused an uproar and the plantation owners gathered together and formed a rebellion in 1817.

 

5-Hostility of Las Cortes: Las Cortes were hostile towards Brazil and upon it returing to a colony in 1821: This upset the Brazilian inhabitants because they considered themselves as important as Portugal. This also led the new leader of Brazil, Dom Pedro (Dom Joao’s son), to make campaigns and travel throughout the entire country to have the support of his people..

 

6-Public Rejection: Dom Pedro began rejecting all the rules that Las Cortes attempted to place on Brazil on September 7th, 1822, inspiring people to stand up against the crown

 

It is clear that Portugal's efforts to return Brazil to its previous colonial state caused the the revolution, previous to that, the inhabitants of Brazil were content with the crown and only became upset when their freedom was taken away.