Regency period (Empire of Brazil)
Decade of regencies preserving Brazil's unity amid widespread revolts.
The regency period in the Empire of Brazil spanned the decade from 1831 to 1840, between the abdication of Emperor Pedro I on 7 April 1831 and the declaration of majority of his son, Pedro II, on 23 July 1840. Because Pedro II was only five years and four months old at the time of his father's abdication, the government was headed by a regency composed of three representatives, as provided by law. During this decade, four consecutive regencies governed: the Provisional Triumviral, the Permanent Triumviral, the sole regency of Diogo Antônio Feijó, and the sole regency of Pedro de Araújo Lima. This period was one of the most defining and eventful in Brazilian history, marked by numerous provincial rebellions that threatened the nation's territorial unity, which was ultimately preserved.
- start_year
- 1831
- end_year
- 1840
- country
- Empire of Brazil
- known_for
- First republican experience in Brazil; preservation of territorial unity amid provincial rebellions
- regencies
- Provisional Triumviral, Permanent Triumviral, sole of Diogo Antônio Feijó, sole of Pedro de Araújo Lima
Quick Facts
- Start
- 1831
- End
- 1840
- Before
- First Reign
- After
- Second Reign
- Key Events
- Abdication of Pedro I / Declaration of age of Pedro II
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The regency period began immediately after Pedro I's abdication on 7 April 1831. Within hours, senators and deputies in the court elected a provisional triumviral regency consisting of Francisco de Lima e Silva, Nicolau Pereira de Campos Vergueiro, and José Joaquim Carneiro de Campos. This regency restored the ministers dismissed by Pedro I, convened the Legislative Assembly, granted amnesty to political prisoners, and removed suspicious foreigners from the troops. A manifesto exhorted the people to maintain order, but conflicts between soldiers and supporters of the Restorer Party, which sought to restore Pedro I, continued in Rio de Janeiro and the provinces. On 9 April, the young successor was acclaimed emperor, and José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva was appointed tutor of Pedro II and his sisters.
Reader's Guide
The regency period is significant as the first 'republican' experience in Brazil, due to its elective nature. It was a time when Brazil's territorial unity was both challenged and preserved, as numerous provincial rebellions erupted across the country, including the Cabanagem in Grão-Pará, the Balaiada in Maranhão, the Sabinada in Bahia, and the Ragamuffin War in Rio Grande do Sul—the largest and longest. These revolts threatened to disintegrate the nation and revealed growing discontent with central power in Rio de Janeiro, as well as latent social tensions. The period also saw the creation of the National Guard and intense debate over provincial autonomy versus centralization of power. Historians have noted that the regency period laid groundwork for later political developments in Brazil.
Did You Know?
- The regency period lasted from 1831 to 1840, between the abdication of Pedro I and the declaration of majority of Pedro II at age 14.
- There were four consecutive regencies: Provisional Triumviral, Permanent Triumviral, sole of Diogo Antônio Feijó, and sole of Pedro de Araújo Lima.
- Major rebellions included the Cabanagem, Balaiada, Sabinada, and the Ragamuffin War, the latter being the largest and longest.
- The National Guard was created during this period.
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