From absolutism to liberalism — History, 11–13
The French invasions, the 1820 revolution, the 1822 Constitution and the civil war that divided the country.
From absolute power to a constitution
In absolutism the king holds all power. In liberalism power is limited by a constitution: people have rights, there are elections, and power is divided among different bodies. In Portugal this change took place between 1807 and 1834, with foreign invasions, a revolution, a constitution in 1822, and a civil war between liberals and absolutists.
What made the king lose his power
In 1807 Napoleon's armies invaded Portugal and the royal family fled to Brazil. After the French were expelled the king stayed in Brazil, and Portugal came under strong British influence, with General Beresford commanding the army. Many Portuguese felt abandoned, and the opening of Brazilian ports to free trade hurt merchants. Liberal ideas gained strength.
A case: the 1820 revolution and the Constitution
Step 1: on 24 August 1820, soldiers and citizens rise up in Porto against the state of the country. Step 2: the revolt spreads and the Cortes meet again, this time to write a constitution. Step 3: the king returns from Brazil in 1821. Step 4: in 1822 the Constitution is approved: it sets out citizens' rights and divides power between the king, the Cortes and the courts.
The trap: thinking liberalism won at once
After 1822 absolutism did not vanish overnight. There were coups and counter-coups, and from 1828 a civil war between liberals, led by D. Pedro, and absolutists, led by his brother D. Miguel. It only ended in 1834, with the Convention of Évora-Monte. It was fourteen years of instability since 1820, and many families were split between the two sides.
Where you can still see this today
Today, liberal ideas live on in the Constitution, in the right to vote and in the elections for the Assembleia da República, the parliament that continues the tradition of the Cortes. Near Lisbon you can still see the forts of the Lines of Torres Vedras, built in 1809–1810 to stop the French armies.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…