Conservatism in Brazil

Conservatism in Brazil (Portuguese: Conservadorismo) designates the movement originated from certain cultural traditions of Brazil, as well as the relationship with Portuguese-Iberian cultural roots and diverse influences. The movement received influences from Roman heritage and part of Greek philosophy in its foundation in Christianity.

More traditional conservative historical views and features include belief in political federalism, Catholicism and monarchism.

See: Colonial Brazil

Portuguese colonization made a strong impression on the traditional formation of Brazilian society. The doctrine of the Catholic Church with the public policies of the Portuguese State, as well as architecture, literature and other spheres of Lusitanian culture marked the history of Brazil, manifesting itself vigorously even after its independence.

The Conservative Party of the imperial period was the first political organization of a conservative character in independent Brazil, arising from a tradition that rejected republicanism and liberalism, providing the territorial integrity of the new country, as well as the continuity of slavery. He was given supremacy in the parliamentary relay system with the Liberal Party that defined the political landscape of the Second Reign.

See: Empire of Brazil

The Conservative Party emerged in mid-1836 from the anti-liberal and centralist faction of Brazilian politics whose origin dates back to Brazil's independence process, wielding the flag of "order" in opposition to what they considered the "disorder" promoted by liberals. Its members were gradually nicknamed "saquaremas", nickname arising from the municipality of Saquarema, where they used to meet. Although Brazil was already an independent nation, its Portuguese-Catholic origins were still manifested in the sociopolitical sphere, especially through the conservative agenda. However, the saquaremas did not disconsider foreign ideas, which they adapted when imported into Brazilian politics.

Under the regency of the Marquis of Olinda, the Army was vigorously and violently ineffective to ensure the integrity of the Brazilian State against the recurrent regional rebellions, after the Regency Period. The conservatives occupied the Council of Ministers for the next 23 years, led by figures such as the Marquis of Paraná and the then Marquis of Caxias, during which time Brazil defused the Praieira Revolt and contained the expansionism of Argentine warlord Juan Manuel de Rosas during the Platine War.