MIGUEL I OF PORTUGAL Meaning and
Definition
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Miguel I of Portugal, also known as Miguel the Absolutist, was the king of Portugal from 1828 to 1834. Born on October 26, 1802, he was the oldest son of John VI of Portugal and Carlota Joaquina of Spain.
Miguel I ascended to the throne after a coup d'état against his niece, Queen Maria II. His reign was marked by his authoritarian and absolutist rule, which aimed to restore the power of the monarchy by suppressing liberal reforms. His policies were met with opposition from liberal and constitutionalist factions, leading to a period of political instability and conflicts known as the Portuguese Civil War.
Although he managed to gather support both at home and abroad, Miguel I's autocratic style clashed with the prevailing ideals of the time. His strong opposition to constitutionalism and his attempts to repeal the liberal reforms of his predecessors ultimately resulted in his exile in 1834. With his departure, the constitutional monarchy was restored, and his niece, Maria II, regained the throne.
Miguel I's reign left a significant impact on Portuguese history, as it highlighted the struggle between absolutism and constitutionalism during a time of political transformation in Europe. His legacy is often seen as emblematic of 19th-century struggles for political power and the entrenched divide between traditionalist and liberal factions in Portugal.
