Liberation!

            The most important figure in Brazilian independence was not a Brazilian, nor a colonist, however it was Portuguese royalty. (2)  After many years of the Brazilian colony controlling the entire Portuguese empire, because of Napoleons expansion into Portugal, there arose a time when the newly appointed king was forced to return to Portugal.(1)  After returning he sent a son, Dom Pedro, to rule as its regent.  This is one more thing that sets colonial Brazil apart from many colonies around the world.

            When Dom Pedro initially arrived, he fulfilled his duties to run Brazil, which had then grown in power enough to equal their mother country of Portugal.  Eventually he came to the realization of the actual power and autonomy of the colony.  As David Strang reveals,” while autonomy in Argentina and Brazil resulted from Napoleon’s invasion of Spain and Portugal.”(1)  At this revelation he decided to create an official decree that would free Brazil from a colony into its own country.  This didn’t go as smooth as it could have, though for many countries still thought of it as a colony and did not recognize it as anything besides that.  Which eventually ended as the United States of America was the first country to recognize it, coming from their background as a country that freed itself. After the recognition, Portugal eventually saw clearly the potential and ability of Brazil and recognized it as its own country as well, with the rest of Europe quickly following suit.

            Without the clear guidance of Dom Pedro, Brazil could have taken a much darker path with their eventual freedom in the air.  With Dom Pedro’s royal background, his word also carried heavily not just in Brazil and Portugal, but also around the world. His decree set the events in motion for Brazil’s eventual climb to a very successful nation.