History books don't usually talk about this, but in 1817, five years before Dom Pedro I, residents of the city of Crato, in Ceará, decreed their independence. In fact, the village, which is 500 km from Fortaleza, proclaimed itself an independent republic.
The movement took place before the Pernambuco Revolution, which was one of the precursors to Brazil's Independence of the day. September 7th. Did you already know this?
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Continue reading and discover more about this interesting fact about the history of Brazil.
The small town, which was in the region now known as Cariri, had approximately 135 thousand inhabitants. Its first settlers arrived there around 1714, coming from Bahia, Pernambuco and Sergipe.
In 1750, the first mills began to be installed, which led to the development of sugar cane cultivation in the municipality. With this, the aristocracy of Crato also emerged.
Years later, around the 19th century, these nobles began to send their children to study in nearby cities, such as Olinda and Recife. Influenced by the French Revolution, they began to generate liberal thoughts.
In April 1817, José Martiniano, son of Bárbara de Alencar and father of José de Alencar, arrived at the Ceará. He was very responsible for reinforcing the liberal sparks in Crato.
Alongside other leaders of the movement, they carried the “Preciso”. This was a document that served as the basis for the constitution of the provisional government of Pernambuco.
On May 4, 1817, Bárbara de Alencar hosted a dinner known as the freedom dinner. In it, minutes, decrees and documents were signed that provisionally declared the independence of Crato.
An insurgent's joy is short-lived
On May 11, just eight days later, the royalist army of Captain José Pereira Filgueiras overthrew the provisional government of Crato. Furthermore, he also arrested the movement's agents. Martiniano and Bárbara were then arrested, a fact that once and for all buried the dream of freedom in the city of Ceará.
Just over five years later, on September 7, 1822, Dom Pedro I himself declared the independence of Brazil, separating the country from the Portuguese crown forever.
Graduated in Social Communication from the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.