Riograndense Republic: Difference between revisions

The '''Riograndense Republic'''; (Portuguese: ''República Riograndense''); is a country located on the southern cone of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, [[Brazil]] to the north, [[Paraguay]] to the west and [[Carolina]] to the south and southwest. The country is divided into five states and a federal district where the capital, Rio Grande, is located. The Riograndense Republic, differently from its other Portuguese speaking neighbors, has a culture molded by the junction of Iberian cultures along Italian, Slav and German influences. Geographically, the nation can be divided in two regions, the flat pampas in the south, with hot summer and mild winter, and the hilly north with its mild summer and cold winters. The riograndense economy is composed of varied sectors, with agriculture and meat production being its most prominent, but also can be cited tourism and industrial activities.

In 1843, inspired by the ideals of the Spring of Nations and the Bahian War of Independence, the southernmost captaincy of the colony of Brazil started its own rebellion against the Portuguese crown. Inside the rebels were liberals, large landowners, local military personal and former slaves. The reasons to fight were many, amongst them were the lack of Brazilian representation in politics, the closed economy of the colony and taxation. In the case of the former slaves, freedom was promised to those who chose to fight along. After the success in defeating the local defense forces, the Riograndense Republic was proclaimed and a provisional capital in the town of Caçapava was established. Months later, the news of the newly proclaimed nation spread across the British colony of Carolina and the country( still not recognized but independent) of Paraguay. This encouraged many Hispanic gauchos, known as well as Carolinos, to volunteer themselves to the Riograndense cause. In exchange for help, the country would grant to those men and their families citizenship. In 1844, Paraguay recognized the independence of the Riograndense Republic, being the first country in the world to do it. In the same year, the Paraguayan government permitted the traffic of volunteers and smuggled weapons through its borders to assist its new neighbor. From the beginning of the rebellion to 1845, many towns and villages were either conquered or joined the republic willingly. By 1846, only the town of Rio Grande was under Portuguese control. Later on that year, a peace treaty was signed.