Brazilian party formation from the Regency to the Conciliation, 1831-1857

Abstract

The parties derived from Chamber factions, led by orators representing the planting and commercial oligarchies and mobilized urban groups. The antecedents, clear in the 1823 Constituent Assembly, crystallize in the "liberal opposition" of 1826-31. The moderate majority dominated the first years of the Regency, but divided over more radical liberal reform. A reactionary movement led to a new majority party in 1837, emphasizing a strong state balanced by a representative parliament and cabinet. This party, eventually known as the Conservatives, faced an opposition, eventually known as the Liberals, who, while sharing some liberal beliefs, initially comprised an alliance of opportunity. After the emperor took power, he proved suspicious of partisan loyalties and ambitions, and increasingly dominated the cabinet, enhancing its power, undercutting the parties and parliament, and increasing state autonomy, as demonstrated in the Conciliação and its heir, the Liga Progressista. These tensions explain the meaning of the political crises of 1868 and the 1871 Lei de Ventre Livre and the legacy of cynicism over representative government which followed.