The Conspiracy of Suaçunas also known for its archaic spelling - The Conspiracy of Suassuna - was a conspiracy to overthrow Portuguese rule in Brazil at the dawn of the 19th century. The conspiracy was centered in

Olinda Olinda () is a historic city in Pernambuco, Brazil, in the Northeast Region, Brazil, Northeast Region. It is located on the country's northeastern Atlantic Ocean coast, in the Recife metropolitan area, Metropolitan Region of Recife, the state capi ...

. In 1796, influenced by the ideas of the

Enlightenment Enlightenment or enlighten may refer to: Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment, period in Western intellectual history from the late 17th to late 18th century, centered in France but also encompassing (alphabetically by country or culture): ...

and the

French Revolution The French Revolution ( ) was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. Many of its ideas are considere ...

, several leaders, including Manuel Alvarez House - a member of the Literary Society of Rio de Janeiro, and

Manuel Arruda da Câmara Padre Manuel Arruda da Câmara ( Pombal 1752–Goiana, October 2, 1810) was a Brazilian cleric, physician and scientist, who became known as one of the great Brazilian botanists of the late eighteenth century. Life His parents, Francisco Arruda ...

- founded the Areopagus Masonic Lodge. The Enlightenment and the French Revolution were also discussed by priests and students of the Seminary of Olinda, founded by Bishop

José Joaquim da Cunha Azeredo Coutinho José Joaquim da Cunha Azeredo Coutinho ( – ) was a Brazilian bishop and the last Inquisition, inquisitor-general of Portugal and Brazil. José Joaquim da Cunha Azeredo Coutinho was born on in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil. He studied at Coi ...

on February 16, 1800. This institution had, among its members, Father Miguel Joaquim de Almeida Castro, involved in a future revolution in Pernambuco, 1817. The philosophical and political discussions at the Areopagus Lodge evolved into a conspiracy against

Portuguese rule in Brazil Colonial Brazil ( pt, Brasil Colonial) comprises the period from 1500, with the arrival of the Portuguese, until 1815, when Brazil was elevated to a kingdom in union with Portugal as the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. Durin ...

, with the goal of the emancipation of Pernambuco, becoming a republic under the protection of

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

. Included in the group of conspirators were the Cavalcanti brothers - Luis Francisco de Paula, José Francisco de Paula Cavalcanti e Albuquerque, and Francisco de Paula, the latter being owner of the ''Suaçuna mill'', which gave its name to the movement. On May 21, 1801, an informer told the authorities about the plans of the conspirators, which led to the arrest of several involved. Although an inquiry was initiated, the conspirators were acquitted for lack of evidence. The Areopagus Lodge was closed in 1802, and somewhat later reopened under the name of Suaçunas Academy, established in the same mill, the scene of meetings of former conspirators. The episode is little known in the

history of Brazil The history of Brazil begins with indigenous people in Brazil. Europeans arrived in Brazil at the ending of the 15th century. The first European to claim sovereignty over Indigenous lands part of what is now the territory of the Federative Republ ...

, since the inquiry was carried out in secrecy at the time, due to the high social position of those involved.

Other Revolts

The conspiracy fits into the context of crisis of the colonial system. Despite the repression to those involved, their ideals reappear again, years later. * 1817 Revolution 1817 * Confederation of the Equator 1824 * November Rebellion 1831 * Apr Revolt 1832 * Cabanada 1832 to 1835 * Praieira Revolution 1848 to 1850 {{DEFAULTSORT:Conspiracy Of Suassuna 1801 in Brazil Rebellions in Brazil