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Jeffrey Needell
Jeffrey Needell
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.
Keywords
political practices, monarchy, slavery, legislative power, parliamentary
debates, liberalism