Colony - Constitutional Monarchy Flashcards
How did the Napoleonic Wars impact the Portuguese Empire?
Napoleon trying to conquer Europe, 1807 marched towards Portugal, sent note saying they would invade unless Portugal swore allegiance to Napoleon. UK ambassador advised Portugal to move Portuguese court to Rio, offered to escort King and court. King arrived in Brazil in 1808, stayed there for 12 years, Rio became capital of Portuguese Empire.
How did America first start to interact with Brazil?
1808 Portugal had colonies worldwide, King opened ports in Brazil to all friendly nations, attracted US particularly in Northern Brazil and the Amazon - exotic products, Brazil bought wheat from the US. Stronger links with Africa and Europe. Geographically closer to Africa than US.
How did the move to Rio impact the King’s attitude towards Brazil?
1816 Queen died, her son (who acted as regent) became King. Liked freedom of being away from Portugal, no parliament, more money. Parliament threatened to turn Portugal into a democracy unless the King returned. Left his son Pedro in Brazil, told him if Brazil wanted independence Pedro should support it, break with Portugal and become Emperor of Brazil so it didn’t become a republic like the US. Rich figures in Brazil supported this.
When did Brazil become independent from the Portuguese Empire? How did Pedro share power with the Brazilian government?
- Only Latin American country to keep its monarch. Pedro became Emperor of Brazil, implemented constitution to put limits on his power, constitutional monarch, gradually curbed his powers to create a shared government.
How did Brazil’s trade with the US grow after its independence? How did Great Britain impact this trade relationship?
Increasing trade, US started moving from the North to the sugar coast. 1806 Britain ended slavery, circulated memorandum to other countries including US, agreed to stop the slave trade, was still carried on through smuggling, internal trade, US signed treaty, not immediately enforced many southern states & Cuba continued to import slaves. Brazil part of the slave trade.
How did Brazil become closer to Great Britain in the early 1800s?
1808 Juao wanted to establish relationship with GB for helping them in the Napoleonic Wars, GB wanted free trade treaty (though GB merchants would get preferential treatment), “benevolent relations”. Slavery an issue, Brazil had large slave trade, slaves used in sugar & coffee plantations, GB leaned on Juao to end slave trade.
How did Brazil try to pacify Great Britain over the slave trade?
1816 Juao signed treaty with GB, Pedro also signed when he became King, 1826 said in 1830 he could get courts to pass law abolishing slavery, passed.
What happened in 1831 that undermined the abolition of the slave trade in Brazil? How did the US support the Brazilian slave trade?
Pedro resigned, slave merchants continued illegally for another 30 years by 1840s Brazil reached peak of slave trade not stopped. US an enabler to Brazils slave trade, US took part, New England ships flying under Brazilian flag.
How did Great Britain try to combat Brazil’s growing slave trade?
Captured slave ships and returned Africans, unhappy with Brazil, Brazilian politicians had family members with plantations, Brazil would send molasses, sugar etc. to Africa bartering for slaves. Brazilian treaty with GB up for renewal, GB refused to sign, if GB found slave ships in Brazilian ports GB would still sail in and impound ships.
How did Brazil’s new King influence the growing disagreement between Great Britain and Brazil?
1841 Pedro II (1841 - 1889) came of age, Brazil hadn’t had a King since 1831, liberal, opposed slavery, nervous about abolition early in his reign, 1850 ends slave trade one of the last countries to have slaves in America (Cuba last).
How did Pedro II’s background influence his attitude towards slavery?
Pedro II imposing figure, looked European/regal (mother Austrian), well educated during 1830s, by 1840s one of best educated royals in the world, made him more liberal. Freed inherited slaves.
How did industrialisation improve the trading relationship between Brazil and the US?
1840s, vulcanisation, Goodfellow, improved rubber, made it strong, flexible and resilient, became a more useful product. Few places worldwide where rubber grew naturally apart from Brazil. Increases US interest in Brazil. Also trade in hardwood from the Amazon.
How did US industrialisation encourage Brazil to industrialise?
1876, US Independence centenary, organised fair in Philadelphia, bring people from around the world to show how industrial US has become, starting to overtake GB, Alexander Grahame Bell shows telephone, Pedro II there, ordered telephones to be brought to Brazil. Wanted to start to catch up technologically.
Why was Pedro II overthrown in 1889?
Ill, diabetes, prior long war with Paraguay, unpopular, damaged economy, let slaves have freedom if they joined the army, angered plantation owners, no support from the Catholic Church, people lost respect for him, no male heir, daughter Isobel oversaw emancipation 1888, competent, educated but made her unpopular with plantation owners. 1889 military coup, exiled him, army instituted a republic, didn’t recognise army for beating Paraguay.
