In 1831, the year marked by the end of the First Reign in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro was the stage for unrest of various kinds. Throughout the streets of the Court, protests with republican aspirations coexisted with demonstrations of support for the monarchy. In April, Dom Pedro had abdicated the throne as a result of a political crisis, leaving power to his son, who was still a child.
The abdication of the first Emperor of Brazil, D. Pedro I. Oil on canvas, 1911. Author: Aurélio de Figueiredo (1854 – 1916). Collection: Palácio da Guanabara. Public domain image, Wikimedia Commons.
Image description: This is a painting depicting a historical scene. The central figure is standing, wearing a military uniform with gold buttons and a sash at the waist. In front of him, two women kneel, appearing to be in supplication or adoration. In the background, several people observe the scene, some in military uniforms and others in formal attire. On the wall, there is a painting depicting a female figure. The lighting is intense, highlighting the faces and gestures of the characters.While the Trina Regency governed provisionally, the power struggle took place mainly between two groups. The so-called moderate liberals held a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. The radical liberals, who had joined the moderates in forcing the abdication, had little political representation, which caused conflict with their former allies. Beyond these groups occupying the institutional political sphere, there was growing popular support for each of them.
Since the beginning of the year, demonstrations by civilians and military personnel had turned the street into a setting for political conflict. Campo da Aclamação – now Campo de Santana – was the stage for several of these protests against the Regency, when white Brazilians, enslaved people, and military troops mingled together, demanding the political representation that suited them.
The Campo da Aclamação, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, a decade before the events of 1831. O Campo de Santana, Franz Josef Frühbeck – 1818[?]. The Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library (USA). Public domain image, Wikimedia Commons.
Image description: This is a painting depicting a historic city. On the left side, we see low buildings with red roofs, surrounded by trees and plants. In the center, there is a large open space with circular structures and people walking. On the right, the city extends toward a hill covered in vegetation. The sky is light blue, and the horizon is drawn with finer details.One of the disturbances that took over the streets during the period occurred late at night on September 25. A group of more than 30 rioters came down from Morro do Nheco (today, Santa Teresa) and headed to Cidade Nova, in the central region of the city. Made up of captives and freedmen, the group broke into the home of a Municipal Guard commander and armed themselves.
On their way to Campo da Honra, they stopped in front of the house of the exalted-party major Miguel de Frias e Vasconcellos — editor of the newspaper A Voz da Liberdade and the man responsible for receiving the Emperor's abdication letter — greeting him. Upon reaching the field, the rioters shouted cheers for the Constituent Assembly and the Republic, when they were attacked by municipal guards. The group dispersed shortly afterward.
Reported days after it happened, the unrest at Morro do Nheco was criticized by the newspaper Aurora Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, nº 536 – Sep. 28, 1831, p. 2. Collection: Hemeroteca da Biblioteca Nacional.
Image description: The image is an old black-and-white newspaper. It is located in Rio de Janeiro, as mentioned in the title. The text describes a disturbance that occurred at Morro do Nheco, reporting the events that took place on the night of December 25 to 26, 1830. The spatial layout begins with the title "Rio de Janeiro" at the top, followed by the main text detailing the facts of the disturbance.
