| |
| 2. Portugal |
| |
(See 1809)| Economic difficulties. The opening of Portuguese ports to foreign trade resulted in losses of profit aggravated by the decline of the Portuguese Empire, especially Brazil's declaration of independence in 1822 (See 1822). To overcome these difficulties, a liberal government focused on agricultural development and the creation of a better-integrated internal market. However, this government struggled in the first half of the century because of constant challenges from the absolute monarchists. | 1 |
| |
| 1820, Aug. 29 |
| |
| Revolution at Oporto, stimulated by the Spanish revolution, ushered in a liberal government, which adopted a liberal constitution (1822). King John, who had been sojourning in Brazil, accepted the offer to return as constitutional monarch. | 2 |
| |
| 1821–23 |
| |
| Reforms under the liberal Cortes. Land reforms led to the clearing and sale of lands and continued limitations on entailed property. Religious reforms were spurred on by a rising wave of anticlericalism throughout Europe. The Cortes eliminated the Inquisition, curtailed the clergy's right to the vote and to representation within the Cortes, and inflicted taxes on the church. Establishment of the Bank of Lisbon (1821) marked the beginning of a development of modern industrial organizations. | 3 |
| |
| 1823, June 5 |
| |
| John revised the constitution in the interest of absolutism and, in the process, eliminated most of the reforms under the Cortes. His second son, Dom Miguel, supported further absolutist policies and, with the support of reactionaries, started a civil war (1823–24). | 4 |
| |
| 1826, March 10 |
| |
| Death of King John, who left the throne to Dom Pedro of Brazil, who became Peter IV. Peter drew up a charter providing moderate parliamentary government but remained in Brazil. He handed the throne over to Maria da Gloria, his infant daughter, and Dom Miguel became regent. Miguel launched a reactionary force against the constitutional government, which caused a British force to land in Lisbon (1827–28). The force withdrew when Miguel promised to respect the constitution. | 5 |
| |
| 1828, July 4 |
| |
| Coup d'état. Miguel abolished the constitution and had himself proclaimed king. Maria fled to England, and Dom Pedro abdicated the Brazilian throne (1831) to return to Europe and fight for her restoration. | 6 |
| |
| 1832–34 |
| |
| The Miguelite Wars (1828–34) resulted in lands of enemies to Maria's state being auctioned off. The purchasers were primarily industrialists and bourgeois landowners. | 7 |
| |
| 1833, Sept |
| |
| Maria's restoration. Miguel was finally defeated on May 26, 1834. Portugal suffered continued insurrection between those who supported the constitution of 1822 and those who supported the charter of 1826, but the government remained committed to liberal reforms. | 8 |
| |
| 1834 |
| |
| Trade corporations abolished, leading the way to free trade within Portugal. This legislation eliminated guilds and the corporations that controlled the sale of many commodities. Trade and industry were also protected by the tariff legislation of 1837. | 9 |
| |
| May 28 |
| |
| Monasteries abolished. This action reflected continued anticlericalism. The monks and clerics had supported the absolutists during the civil war and the Miguelite Wars because of liberal anticlericalism. The abolition benefited landowners and the state. | 10 |
| |
| Aug |
| |
| The new Cortes met but was deeply divided. The radicals called a constituent assembly and began a struggle over a constitution. | 11 |
| |
| |
