Brazil
Independence Day 2015 History: 5 Facts About Brazil's Fight For Independence
In the 193 years since Brazil declared independence from
Portugal, the exuberant and colorful country has experienced a number of transformations.
Once a mysteriously secluded nation filled with indigenous tribes among the
lush rainforest of the Amazon, the country has developed into a flourishing
international utopia.
Portugal claimed Brazil in the year 1500, but the first
settlers didn’t arrive until more than 30 years later. After more than 300
years of rule, and the establishment of Brazil as a main exporter of sugar and
then later gold, Portugal’s grasp on the country began to unravel.
While
independence was declared Sept. 7, 1822, it wasn’t until three years later, and
after the Brazilian war of independence, that an official treaty was
established declaring sovereignty.
Five
facts about Brazil’s independence and the war with Portugal:
1.
In 1807, the Portuguese royal family fled to Rio de Janeiro after Napoleon
decided to invade Portugal for supporting Britain in its war with
France. Had the royal family not moved to Brazil it's likely the South
American country would have had a vastly different history.
2.
Although it was an ocean away, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of
Portgual from 1808 until 1822.
3.
Brazil freed slaves so they could fight in the army and navy during the war
with Portugal.
4.
Scotsman Thomas Cochrane led Brazil’s war at sea. However, because of the
numbers of Portuguese in the ranks, sabotage was an issue. Cochrane, who led
the Chilean navy against the Spanish just the year before, gutted the navy and
brought in a mixture of British and American mercenaries as well as Brazilian
natives.
5.
The Brazilian empire, which lasted from 1822 until 1889, when it was overthrown
by a clique of military leaders, was the last monarchy in the country before it
became a republic.
