Brazilian Independence in the Context of European Politics

Brazilian independence, occurring in the early part of the 19th century, stood out starkly from other Latin American independence movements due to its unique historical circumstances. The relocation of the Portuguese court from Lisbon to Rio in 1808, amidst Napoleon's expanding influence in Europe, played a pivotal role. As Napoleon invaded Portugal and the court exiled to Rio, the groundwork for Brazilian independence was laid. Contrastingly to the Spanish American colonies left orphaned, the Portuguese integration with Brazil deepened, shaping a different path towards independence.