On September 7, Brasil celebrates its independence, that was declared in 1822. Let´s know a little bit more about this?

After being discovered, Brazil became Portugal´s colony. So, it could only have commerce with Portugal. It had also to follow Portuguese laws, and couldn´t have schools, manufacturing or printing. Everything must be brought from Portugal. As other countries did with its colonies all over the world, Portugal tried to get richness from here and bring it to Europe.

Naturally, over decades it made that many people,e ven that ones that were portuguese descendants, started to think on make Brazil independent itself. Besides all Portuguese rules, there were the heavy taxes. At same time, many rich people that went to study on Europe brought came back bringing new ideas about freedom for the colonies: the U.S independence and the French Revolution were samples on possible changings.

The Portugal King, D. João VI

It´s necessary also to remember that since 1808, the Portuguese King D. João and the Royal Family scaped from Napoleon invasions to and came to live in Brazil. This brought more freedom to the colony. Dom João VI opened the harbours to commerce - which made specially England very happy. He created schools and also allowed brazilians to produce some articles, as candles and dressing.

On 1821, however, Portugal was changed. Napoleon was defeated and some time later, with Porto Revolution, English interventor was expelled too. The Royal Family was notified to come back to Portugal. Dom João left Brazil, leaving here his son, the Prince D. Pedro, that soon would be ordered to go back to Portugal too.

The Prince of Portugal and first brazilian emperor, D. Pedro I

Many of brazilian politicians and land-owners were afraid that Brazil would loose the advantages that were obtained with Royal Family lives in Brazil, doing it again just a colony, as on XVIIies.

D. Pedro had grown in Brazil, but probably would follow Portugal´s dispositions. Portuguese people and troops stayed in Brazil were around him. Althought this, Dom Pedro received a document with almost 8 thousand of signatures, asking him to anyway stay in Brazil. D. Pedro finnally decided to stay.

The day in which Prince D. Pedro decided to stay in Brazil

Then, D. Pedro has defined himself against Portugal, that became furious. More troops were sended to Brazil. Portuguese pressure continued, until the moment that Dom Pedro, stablished brazilian independence.

As traditional history tells, he was in his uniform, riding a gallant horse, close to a river called Ipiranga. At this place he received a message with urgent commands from Portugal to immediately come back. Almost 40 people were around when he unsheathed his sword, shouting his famous phrase: "Independence or death!"

Of course this is a description of official history. Probably the horse was just a she-mule, better for the terrible ways over the mountains; the cothes are the simpliest possible, for a terrible travel under the tropical sun. Seems also that the Prince that days was in fact very angry, affected by some "intestinal problems". Anyway, apart from this day, D. Pedro really decided to fight and do Brazil free.

Although that, some big land owners on North and Northeast would prefer Brazil under Portugal and the old colonial arrangement. With Portugal support, they fought against Dom Pedro. Independence conflicts would extend for a year. Starts at this time the story of brazilian "dependence", once the war was financed with money expensevely borrowed by England.

More than this, Brazil, to have its independence recognized, would need almost 11 years and spend a lot of money. England, for instance, made Brazil to pay to Portugal 2 thousand of pounds.

Started at this point Brazil´s adventure to become an independent contry, that continues even on our days.

See more Brazilkids

Listen to the beautiful Brazilian Independence Hymn
(mp3 archive- 4 Mb).