“Brazil was different from Spanish America in many ways, particularly in the fact that it

did not undergo a long period of destructive revolutionary wars.” (Haring 46-47) In the 1800s,
Brazil's’ Independence was achieved peacefully due to a variety of political, economic, social,
and cultural reasons. Everyone in Brazil had the same goals and wishes for where they wanted
the country to be. Due to the support and unity, Brazil achieved its goal in 1822, and strived to
maintain political autonomy under the rule of Dom Pedro I.

One reason Brazil’s independence was fairly smooth was because both sides had a decent
relationship in which no single country had extreme power and control. During the time Portugal
ruled Brazil, there were aspects that benefited both sides, which made them content. “Brazilians
had much closer ties with the home country, and much less cause for dissatisfaction, than the
Creoles in Spain’s American colonies for several reasons.” (Burson 81) There are many reasons
and examples of what led to this close relationship. First, the Brazilian upper-class had strong
ties with Portugal. Secondly, the Portuguese colonial rule was not as oppressive or exclusive as
Spanish rule, because Portugal governed through the local dominant class. Brazilians also had
the opportunity to receive higher education in Portugal, as there were no universities in Brazil.
Lastly, the economy of Brazil was export oriented and improved due to their close links to
Europe, especially Britain. “Colonialism actually bolstered, rather than hindered, Brazilian
exports.” (Burson 81)

The relationship between Brazil and Portugal was healthy and both sides were thriving.
However the conflict began when the new Portuguese Parliament threatened to return Brazil to
its colonial status. King Joao was reluctantly forced to leave, but his son who at the time was
Prince Regent of Brazil, became the Emperor and led Brazil to independence. His father told
Pedro, “...if the Brazilians wanted independence, that he should not oppose them, but instead,
lead them.” (Burson 82) This shows how connected the head of Portugal was to the Brazilians.
He sought to enable what was best for the Brazilians, what they wanted.
 Part of the reason Brazil achieved Independence so peacefully is due to their large
numbers. When Brazil revolted when Portugal tried to return Brazil to its colonial status, the
Portuguese troops in the northern part of the country resisted the Brazilians, but had no success
due to the numerous amount of people. Brazil was far more populous and prosperous than the
tiny mother country, Portugal. In contrast, no other Spanish colonial territory were equal in
economic or political power to their conquerors. “The Portuguese, on the other hand, did not
even have the military power to stop the Brazilians’ move toward political autonomy.”
(Skidmore 35) This forced the Portuguese to back down and the British helped Portugal
recognize Brazil’s independence. Brazil maintained its economic and political ties to the mother
country, due to the peaceful separation.
The government stayed the same and there was no conflict over power and rule.
Everyone in Brazil had the same objectives and Dom Pedro had the Brazilian’s best interest in
mind. The Brazilians maintained exactly the same approach economically and politically,
because it had been successful in the past due to its connection with Portugal. This is revolution
was completely different than others in Latin America. In Chile, Argentina, and Peru, many of
the conservative land-owning class thought along similar lines. However they were unable to
achieve independence as successfully and peaceful as Brazil. “Most of them wanted political
independence - that is escape from the political, economic, and social inferiority imposed upon
them by their colonial status.” (Haring 47) This was hard to achieve without war, because it was
the complete uprooting of the country. Because Brazil did not have these desires, and were
happy based on their current situation, the transition was peaceful and the ‘war’ was bloodless.
Brazil’s wish to maintain political autonomy was fulfilled.