Miguel I usurps the Portuguese throne from Maria II (1828)

Infante Miguel returned to Portugal in 1828 as regent for his niece Queen Maria II. He dissolved the Cortes in March 1828 and was proclaimed King on 11 July 1828, deposing Maria. While the Liberal Wars are often dated from May 1828, the July proclamation formalized the conflict between absolutists and constitutionalists.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. King John VI died in 1826, creating a succession crisis. His son Pedro abdicated in favor of his seven-year-old daughter Maria, establishing his sister Isabel Maria as regent. Miguel, exiled for absolutism in 1824, returned to Portugal in early 1828 to replace Isabel Maria as regent, ostensibly to swear allegiance to the Constitutional Charter.

Usurpation. Miguel dissolved the Cortes on 13 March 1828 without calling new elections. In May 1828, nobles invited him to convoke new Cortes to decide the succession. On 11 July 1828, Miguel was proclaimed King of Portugal, deposing the absent Maria II. This act formalized the conflict, though the Liberal Wars are dated from May 1828.

Aftermath. The usurpation led to a civil war lasting until 1834. Maria II was restored as queen in 1834 after Miguel was forced to abdicate. The conflict involved liberal constitutionalists led by Pedro IV and conservative traditionalists led by Miguel I, fighting over the government system and royal succession.

People involved

Sources

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