History: Brazil

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

1. 1.

   Claim: In February 1821, after thirteen years in Brazil, King John VI sailed back to Portugal, leaving his son Pedro, heir to the Portuguese throne, as regent of Brazil. When the Portuguese Côrtes insisted in January 1822 that Pedro also return to Europe, he refused, a moment later commemorated as the "Dia do Fico"; the resulting tensions between Brazil and the Lisbon government culminated in Pedro's proclamation of independence in September 1822.

   • Independence of Brazil (Wikipedia) link, article text. Source record
2. 2.

   Claim: On 7 September 1822, Prince Regent Pedro proclaimed Brazilian independence on the banks of the Ipiranga Brook near São Paulo, having just received a letter from Portugal ordering his return and submission; the proclamation became known as the "Cry of Ipiranga," including the phrase "Independence or Death!" Pedro became the first Emperor of the Empire of Brazil on 12 October 1822.

   • Parques de Sintra, The Ipiranga Cry: D. Pedro proclaims the independence of Brazil from the banks of the Ipiranga, near São Paulo (Parques de Sintra (Portuguese heritage site on King Pedro IV), 7 September 1822) link, article text. Source record
3. 3.

   Claim: Following the September 1822 proclamation of independence, Portuguese garrisons in Bahia, Cisplatina, Maranhão and Pará resisted the new Brazilian government until 1823-24. Published casualty estimates for the resulting war vary: one tally cites 3,000-5,000 Brazilian dead, while a separate estimate drawn from contemporary battle reports places total deaths at roughly 5,700-6,200; no single figure is treated as authoritative.

   • Brazilian War of Independence (Wikipedia) link, Casualties section. Source record
4. 4.

   Claim: Following British-mediated negotiations, Portugal and Brazil signed the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro on 29 August 1825. Article 1 provided: "His Most Faithful Majesty recognizes Brazil in the category of independent Empire and separated from the Kingdoms of Portugal and the Algarves." The treaty was ratified by Brazil on 24 August 1825 and by Portugal on 15 November 1825, entering into force on the latter date.

   • Wikipedia contributors, Treaty of Rio de Janeiro (1825) (Wikipedia, 29 August 1825) link, article text and Article 1. Source record