The Lisbon Revolution (September 15, 1820) –…
September 1820 CE
The Lisbon Revolution (September 15, 1820) – The Spread of the Liberal Uprising
Following the constitutional insurrection in Porto on August 24, 1820, the liberal revolution spread to Lisbon on September 15, 1820, further accelerating Portugal’s transition toward a constitutional monarchy.
Background – The Momentum from Porto’s Uprising
- The Porto Revolution (August 24, 1820) had already led to the creation of a Provisional Junta, which began organizing a constitutional movement.
- Liberal ideas spread rapidly across Portugal, fueled by resentment against the regency and British influence through Marshal Beresford.
- King João VI remained in Brazil, leaving Portugal leaderless and politically unstable.
The September 15, 1820 Revolution in Lisbon
- Inspired by the events in Porto, Lisbon erupted in revolution on September 15, 1820.
- Civilians, liberal military officers, and political activists took to the streets, demanding:
- The end of absolutist rule.
- The return of King João VI from Brazil.
- The establishment of a constitutional government.
- The insurrection succeeded in toppling the existing regency, allowing the liberals to take full control of the government.
Aftermath – The Path to Constitutional Rule
- A national constitutional Cortes (parliament) was elected in December 1820, tasked with drafting Portugal’s first liberal constitution.
- On September 23, 1822, the Constitution of 1822 was approved, creating a constitutional monarchy.
- King João VI was forced to return to Portugal from Brazil in 1821, where he swore an oath to uphold the new constitution.
Conclusion – The Liberal Revolution Triumphs
The Lisbon Revolution of September 15, 1820, combined with the Porto uprising, marked the end of absolutism in Portugal. Though political struggles between liberals and absolutists would continue, the Revolution of 1820 firmly established constitutionalism as a defining force in Portuguese politics.