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✅The Liberal Wars and the Decisive Contribution of Terceira Island

Less than two centuries after the Restoration Wars, which brought much cruelty to the Azorean seas, political and military instability returned to the archipelago, particularly to Terceira Island. For the second time, it became the true capital of the Kingdom.

It was a historical turning point, marking the transition from the Ancien Régime to Constitutionalism, with the ideals of the French Revolution influencing some sectors of Portuguese society. The country was experiencing a deep economic and social crisis, with "winds of change" blowing, and the absence of the Royal Family and much of the Portuguese nobility—who had taken refuge in Brazil in 1808—had serious negative effects. This was undoubtedly one of the most complex periods in Portuguese history, yet it is worth briefly analyzing the Azorean contribution to resolving the crisis that gripped Portugal in the first quarter of the 19th century.

The triumphant revolution of 1820, led by the Provisional Supreme Government of the Kingdom, proclaimed the end of absolute monarchy and the establishment of liberalism and constitutionalism. It promoted the convening of a constituent assembly and demanded the return of King João VI to Portugal. After thirteen years in Brazil, the king departed for Portugal on April 26, 1821, leaving the regency of the Kingdom of Brazil to his son, Dom Pedro de Bragança, then 23 years old. The following year, however, Dom Pedro declared Brazil’s independence.

The new Portuguese Constitution was approved in September 1822 and sworn by João VI. However, the political landscape remained complex due to the rivalry between absolutists and liberals, as well as between moderates and radicals. The Vilafrancada of 1823 and the Abrilada of 1824 were among the uprisings in which the forces defeated in 1820 sought to reclaim power, occurring amidst intense political debate that foreshadowed an even fiercer struggle—or even a future civil war.

King João VI exiled his son, Dom Miguel, due to his involvement in these absolutist revolts, but the king died on March 10, 1826. His death deepened the political divide: some believed Dom Pedro should succeed him, while others argued that the throne should go to the Infante Dom Miguel as absolute monarch—especially since Dom Pedro had been labeled a "traitor to the homeland" for declaring Brazil’s independence. However, Dom Pedro was proclaimed King Pedro IV of Portugal, though he immediately abdicated in favor of his daughter, Maria da Glória, leaving the kingdom under the rule of a regent.

The situation remained unresolved, leading to prolonged negotiations. Finally, with Dom Pedro’s agreement, Dom Miguel returned to Portugal in February 1828, accepting the existing constitutional order and his arranged marriage to his niece, Maria da Glória, which allowed him to rule as regent until she came of age. However, political tensions escalated with Miguelist violence and political persecutions, triggering a military revolt. Except for Terceira Island, this revolt was suppressed, forcing many liberals into exile in France and England. There, they regrouped, later concentrating their forces in the Azores. From there, they launched an expedition that landed on the mainland and, after a civil war, seized power. Their victory was formally recognized on May 26, 1834, in the Convention of Évoramonte.

Although victorious, Dom Pedro relinquished the regency, and the Cortes declared the 15-year-old Princess Maria da Glória as Queen of Portugal, under the name Maria II. Dom Pedro died shortly afterward from tuberculosis.

Initially, the news of the 1820 revolution was rejected in the Azores, but liberal groups in Angra reacted, taking control of São João Baptista Fortress and declaring allegiance to the General Cortes. This liberal stronghold grew stronger over the years, especially after 1828, when it supported a failed liberal uprising across the country.

The Miguelists reclaimed their positions everywhere except on Terceira Island, which became the bastion of constitutionalism and a refuge for persecuted liberals. In August 1828, a large fleet was sent from Lisbon under General Henrique Sousa Prego to pacify the Azores. This force took control of Ponta Delgada but failed to land on Terceira Island, instead maintaining a naval blockade. However, on June 22, 1829, Count of Vila Flor, General António José de Sousa Manoel Severim de Noronha, managed to land in the town of Praia, giving the liberals a capable commander.

On August 11, 1829, Sousa Prego's Miguelist forces made a failed attempt to land, leading to the Battle of Praia, described in Volume IV of Annaes da Ilha Terceira:

"From the Captain-General Count of Vila Flor came timely measures from his government. Preparations were made to receive the squadron of Infante Dom Miguel, which attempted, in vain, to attack Terceira through the bay of Praia. It was repelled and crushed with heavy casualties and a significant number of prisoners, who, attempting to conspire against the government, were duly punished."

Terceira Island thus became the definitive stronghold of liberalism in Portugal, and Count of Vila Flor its most prestigious leader.

On April 7, 1831, Emperor Dom Pedro I abdicated the Brazilian throne in favor of his son, Dom Pedro de Alcântara, who became Dom Pedro II of Brazil. The former emperor then sailed to Europe to seek support in France and England. Once he had gathered the necessary resources, he embarked on the frigate Rainha de Portugal and arrived in Terceira on March 3, 1832. There, he immediately appointed a liberal government and confirmed his military commanders.

Dom Pedro remained in the Azores for 125 days. With the support of Count of Vila Flor and the English admiral George Rose Sartorius, he organized an expeditionary force of about 7,500 men, mostly mercenaries. They departed from Ponta Delgada on June 27, 1832, aboard a fleet of 42 transport ships. Among the expedition's participants were notable figures such as Alexandre Herculano, Joaquim António de Aguiar, and Almeida Garrett—whom Vitorino Nemésio described as the "adopted son of Terceira and a pilgrim in Graciosa."

The civil war ended in 1834 with the Convention of Évoramonte, but the cities of Angra and Praia became enduring symbols of the liberal victory and the regime that, through democratic alternation, solidified the transition from the Ancien Régime to Liberalism.

Neither the Siege of Porto, nor the naval Battle of Cape St. Vincent, nor the liberation of Lisbon on July 24, 1833, left as profound a mark on this period in Portuguese history as the victory at Praia and the heroism of Angra.

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