The Portuguese Civil War (1828–1834) – The Liberal Victory and the Restoration of the Constitutional Charter

Following Pedro I’s abdication of the Brazilian throne in 1831, tensions in Portugal erupted into full-scale civil war between liberal constitutionalists, led by Pedro, Duke of Braganza, and absolutists (Miguelists), who supported Dom Miguel's claim to the throne. The war ended with a liberal victory in 1834, leading to the restoration of the Constitutional Charter.

Pedro’s Return to the Fight for Portugal (1831–1832)

• Pedro abdicated the Brazilian throne in favor of his son, Pedro II, in 1831 and sailed for Britain before organizing a military expedition to reclaim Portugal for liberal rule.
• By March 1831, he established a government-in-exile in the Azores, a key liberal stronghold.

The Siege of Porto (July 1832 – August 1833)

• In July 1832, Pedro’s forces landed in Porto, which soon became the center of liberal resistance.
• The absolutists (Miguelists) besieged Porto, attempting to crush the liberal stronghold.
• Despite being encircled for over a year, the liberals held their position, waiting for an opportunity to break the stalemate.

The Turning Point – The Capture of Lisbon (1833)

• In June 1833, still surrounded in Porto, the liberals launched a bold counteroffensive:
  • The Duke of Terceira led a force to the Algarve, a key absolutist-controlled region.
  • At the same time, a liberal naval squadron defeated the Miguelist fleet near Cabo São Vicente, securing naval superiority.
• Terceira landed at Faro and marched north through the Alentejo, capturing Lisbon on July 24, 1833.

Final Campaign and the End of the War (1834)

• With Lisbon in liberal hands, the Miguelists lifted their siege of Porto and marched south in a final attempt to defeat Pedro’s forces.
• However, they were decisively defeated at Évora-Monte.
• On May 26, 1834, peace was declared:
  • Dom Miguel was exiled permanently from Portugal, never to return.
  • Pedro restored the Constitutional Charter, reestablishing constitutional monarchy in Portugal.

Conclusion – Liberalism Triumphs in Portugal

• The Portuguese Civil War (1828–1834) ended absolutist rule, ensuring that Portugal would be governed by a constitutional monarchy.
• Pedro’s victory secured the throne for Queen Maria II, his daughter, under the principles of the Constitutional Charter.
• The war reflected the larger 19th-century struggle between absolutism and liberalism in Europe, marking a decisive moment in Portuguese history.

Pedro’s final triumph over Miguel ensured that Portugal remained on a liberal constitutional path, shaping the country’s political development for decades to come.