The Setembrismo Revolution and the Struggle Between…

The Setembrismo Revolution and the Struggle Between Radicals and Moderates (1836–1837)

The political instability in Portugal continued after the Liberal Wars (1828–1834), as radicals and moderates within the liberal movement clashed over how the country should be governed. The radical victory in the elections of July 1836, known as the Setembrismo Revolution, led to a temporary shift in power, but it also provoked a strong reaction from moderate liberals, setting the stage for further political turmoil.

The Setembrismo Revolution (July–September 1836)

• In July 1836, radicals were elected from Porto, advocating a return to the more democratic Constitution of 1822 as a solution to Portugal’s ongoing economic crisis.
• When the new deputies arrived in Lisbon, they were met by large demonstrations in support of their cause, highlighting popular dissatisfaction with the existing government.
• On the following day, the moderate liberal government collapsed, unable to resist the wave of radical political pressure.
• In September 1836, a new government was formed under radical leader Manuel da Silva Passos, marking the beginning of the Setembrista period.

Radical Reforms and the Reinstatement of the 1822 Constitution

• The radicals nullified the Constitutional Charter of 1826, seeing it as too moderate and aristocratic.
• They reinstated the Constitution of 1822, which:
  • Reduced royal authority, making the monarch a more symbolic figure.
  • Strengthened parliamentary power, giving greater legislative control to the Cortes.
  • Established a more democratic, though still limited, electoral system.
• The 1822 Constitution was to be revised by a constituent Cortes, adapting it to the changed social and economic circumstances of Portugal.

Moderate Backlash – The Symbolism of the Charter

• Moderate liberals (Charterists) saw the Constitutional Charter as the foundation of their victory in the War of Two Brothers (Portuguese Civil War, 1828–1834).
• They feared that the radicals were going too far, creating a system that could lead to instability and weaken the monarchy.
• Moderate officers, politicians, and aristocrats organized a counter-reaction, setting the stage for violent conflicts between the two factions.

The Path to Civil Strife (1836–1837)

• The radicals’ reforms provoked conservative and moderate opposition, leading to a series of uprisings and political crises.
• In 1837, a military revolt attempted to restore the Constitutional Charter, escalating tensions between Setembristas and Charterists.
• Portugal entered a period of instability, as neither side could fully impose its vision without provoking resistance from the other.

Conclusion – The Liberal Divide and Portugal’s Political Instability

The Setembrismo Revolution of 1836 marked a radical shift in Portuguese politics, but it also deepened divisions within the liberal movement. The moderates saw the Constitutional Charter as the key achievement of their victory over Miguel, while the radicals sought a more democratic system. These tensions would lead to further instability, shaping Portugal’s political struggles for years to come.