Conspiracy of Suassuna
Encyclopedia
The Conspiracy of Suaçunas also known for its archaic spelling - The Conspiracy of Suassuna - was a conspiracy to overthrow Portuguese rule in Brazil at the dawn of the 19th century. The conspiracy was centered in Olinda
.
In 1796, influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment
and the French Revolution
, several leaders, including Manuel Alvarez House - a member of the Literary Society of Rio de Janeiro - founded the Areopagus Masonic Lodge
.
The Enlightenment and the French Revolution were also discussed by priests and students of the Seminary of Olinda, founded by Bishop José Joaquim da Cunha Azeredo Coutinho on February 16, 1800. This institution had, among its members, Father Miguel Joaquim de Almeida Castro, involved in a future revolution in Pernambuco, 1817.
The philosophical and political discussions at the Areopagus Lodge evolved into a conspiracy against Portuguese rule in Brazil
, with the goal of the emancipation of Pernambuco, becoming a republic under the protection of Napoleon Bonaparte. Included in the group of conspirators were the Cavalcanti brothers - Luis Francisco de Paula, José Francisco de Paula Cavalcanti e Albuquerque, and Francisco de Paula
, the latter being owner of the Suaçuna mill, which gave its name to the movement.
On May 21, 1801, an informer told the authorities about the plans of the conspirators, which led to the arrest of several involved. Although an inquiry was initiated, the conspirators were acquitted for lack of evidence. The Areopagus Lodge was closed in 1802, and somewhat later reopened under the name of Suaçunas Academy, established in the same mill, the scene of meetings of former conspirators.
The episode is little known in the history of Brazil
, since the inquiry was carried out in secrecy at the time, due to the high social position of those involved.
Olinda
Olinda is a historic city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, located on the country's northeastern Atlantic Ocean coast, just north of Recife and south of Paulista...
.
In 1796, influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
and the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, several leaders, including Manuel Alvarez House - a member of the Literary Society of Rio de Janeiro - founded the Areopagus Masonic Lodge
Areopagus Lodge
The Areopagus Lodge, was the first Masonic lodge in Brazil, founded in 1796 in Itambé, Pernambuco by Manoel Arruda Camara, a former Carmelite friar....
.
The philosophical and political discussions at the Areopagus Lodge evolved into a conspiracy against Portuguese rule in Brazil
Colonial Brazil
In the history of Brazil, Colonial Brazil, officially the Viceroyalty of Brazil comprises the period from 1500, with the arrival of the Portuguese, until 1815, when Brazil was elevated to kingdom alongside Portugal as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.During the over 300 years...
, with the goal of the emancipation of Pernambuco, becoming a republic under the protection of Napoleon Bonaparte. Included in the group of conspirators were the Cavalcanti brothers - Luis Francisco de Paula, José Francisco de Paula Cavalcanti e Albuquerque, and Francisco de Paula
Francisco de Paula
Francisco de Paula may refer to:* Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain, infant of Spain* Francisco de Paula Aguirre, Venezuelan composer* Francisco De Paula Bazán, Peruvian goalkeeper...
, the latter being owner of the Suaçuna mill, which gave its name to the movement.
On May 21, 1801, an informer told the authorities about the plans of the conspirators, which led to the arrest of several involved. Although an inquiry was initiated, the conspirators were acquitted for lack of evidence. The Areopagus Lodge was closed in 1802, and somewhat later reopened under the name of Suaçunas Academy, established in the same mill, the scene of meetings of former conspirators.
The episode is little known in the history of Brazil
History of Brazil
The history of Brazil begins with the arrival of the first indigenous peoples, thousands of years ago by crossing the Bering land bridge into Alaska and then moving south....
, since the inquiry was carried out in secrecy at the time, due to the high social position of those involved.
Other Revolts
The conspiracy fits into the context of crisis of the colonial system. Despite the repression to those involved, their ideals reappear again, years later.- 1817 RevolutionPernambucan RevoltThe Pernambucan Revolt of 1817 occurred in the province of Pernambuco in the Northeastern region of Brazil, and was sparked mainly by the decline of sugar cane production and the influence of the Freemasonry in the region...
1817 - Confederation of the EquatorConfederation of the EquatorThe Confederation of the Equator was a short-lived rebellion that occurred in the northeastern region of Brazil during that nation's struggle for independence from Portugal. The secessionist movement was led by wealthy landowners who opposed early reforms by the nation's first leader, Emperor...
1824 - November Rebellion 1831
- April RevoltApril Revolt (Pernambuco)The April Revolt, or Abrilada in Brazil's history was an episode in 1832 in the then province of Pernambuco, which fits into the Regency Period, in the context of Cabanagem. After the abdication of D...
1832 - CabanadaCabanadaThe Cabanada or War of Cabanos was a rebellion that occurred in Brazil between 1832 and 1835, it started shortly after the abdication of Dom Pedro I, i.e., during the Regency.- Background :...
1832 to 1835 - Praieira RevolutionPraieira revoltThe Praieira revolt, also known as the Beach rebellion, was a movement in the Pernambuco region of Brazil that lasted from 1848 to 1849. The revolt, influenced by revolutions taking place in Europe, was due in part to unresolved conflicts left over from the period of the Regency and local...
1848 to 1850