ON HISTORIOGRAPHY AND ABDICATION

Interpretations of April 7, 1831

Abstract

This article aims to analyze interpretations of the abdication during Brazil's First Reign throughout 19th, 20th, and 21st-century historiography. Individuals such as José da Silva Lisboa, Viscount of Cairu, John Armitage, Justiniano José da Rocha, and Francisco de Sales Torres Homem, along with contemporary historiography, play crucial roles in examining the political scene from Independence to the early Regency. The methodology involves a comprehensive bibliographic review. Perceptions of the abdication vary over time, but there is a consensus that it was a moment of political inflection, generating both instability and transformative opportunities. The Portuguese political tradition influenced Dom Pedro I's rule, interpreted as a second independence, marking the end of Portuguese influence and the emergence of a distinct vision for Brazil compared to Europe. The view of a liberal revolution, with popular involvement in establishing a liberal government, is emphasized in the 19th century. In 20th-century historiography, the notion of a second independence persists, but in the 1970s and 1980s, the abdication is reassessed as a conservative turning point. In the 21st century, research expands to include various individuals, highlighting the abdication's impact across all social strata and elements, such as the press, revealing the complexity of the historical context.