A night of the bottles It was an urban and popular conflict that took place during the Brazilian Empire (1822-1889), more precisely on the night of March 13, 1831, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Although indirectly, this event contributed significantly to the abdication of D. Pedro I, in April of the same year.
On one side were the Portuguese defenders of D. Pedro I, and others, liberal Brazilians who were totally dissatisfied with the emperor's way of governing. In addition to freedom of the press, they demanded political and administrative freedom.
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Traditionally, due to Portuguese colonization, Brazil has always had Lusitanians among the wealthy classes and in positions of power. After the Independence of Brazil, on September 7, 1822, the situation was no different.
Ministers, members of the government, occupants of the highest posts in military institutions and the richest people in the country were all of Portuguese origin, therefore, Independence represented little, if any, break with the molds colonialists.
In addition, D. Pedro I never abandoned relations with the political life of Portugal, so that the shadow of a new union between the two countries kept hovering over Brazil, mainly from 1826, when D. João VI died and the succession of the throne was put on the agenda.
Other important points to be taken into account are the country's economic situation at the time of Independence and the authoritative way in which the Emperor conducted his government.
In 1823, due to the opposition of the National Constituent Assembly in relation to the granting of titles of nobility by D. Pedro I, he decides to close it. Which resulted in the granting of Constitution of 1824.
However, the tension was even greater with the murder of the Italian liberal journalist, based in Brazil, Lídero Badaró. He died mysteriously in November 1830, in the city of São Paulo.
As a representative of the press, Badaró harshly criticized the emperor through the periodicals “Farol Paulistano” and “Observador Constitucional”, which were vehicles for the dissemination of liberal ideas.
When the suspicion arose that his death had been ordered by the monarch, the population gathered with the intention of putting an end to the imperial government.
Considered one of the most important events that precede the abdication of D. Pedro I, the episode that became known as Noite das Garrafadas took place on March 13, 1831, in the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Interestingly, it took this name because the Brazilians used stones and bottles to attack their opponents.
The conflict took place between Portuguese and Brazilians, on the one hand, defenders of the imperial government, on the other, liberals who defended broad reforms in the governmental structure of Brazil.
Due to his growing unpopularity, the monarch decided to make a series of trips through the provinces of Brazil, with the aim of reducing opposition to his government. His first destination was Ouro Preto, where he was received with great hostility.
The trip was a real failure, in addition to politicians wearing black bands symbolizing mourning, city residents closed the doors of their homes in all places where the emperor's entourage passed, confirming the low of their popularity.
For the return of D. Pedro I, the Portuguese who lived in Rio de Janeiro decided to throw a big party to welcome him and show their full support for his government.
Taking into account the political and social scenario, which was not at all friendly, on the night of March 13, 1831, the Brazilians took to the streets armed with stones and shards of glass with the aim of attacking the Portuguese who were in party.
Some historians, however, claim that the popular revolt took place between March 11 and 15, 1831.
The Brazilian liberals emerged victorious from the conflict and about a month later, on April 7, 1831 D. Pedro I abdicated the throne in favor of his son D. Pedro II, who at the time was only five years old. The situation, therefore, began the regency period, which lasted until 1840, when the coming of age stroke.
