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Beginning in 1750, the mines began to weaken. The
metropolis did not follow the defined rules, sometimes charged
the fifth, and sometimes the so-called finta
(a common share tax). It was common in that time to drain
the public revenue. People would hide gold, stones, and other
precious minerals and metals in a figure called "Santo do
Pau Oco."
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In 1720 a rebellion broke out against the creation
of the '"Casas da Fundicao," but was firmly repressed. Felipe
dos Santos, the leader of the rebellion, died as a lesson
to future uprisers, but his death had the opposite effect.
The violent manner in which he died only helped to encourage
those who had the idea of liberty in their dreams.
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The decline of the gold mining forced people to concentrate
on other activities. Small metal foundries and a textile industry
began to grow. The Crown reacted and in 1785 issued a decree prohibiting
the instillation of such industries, while also stifling the production
of already existing industries. Therefore, the population had to
opt for other alternatives: agriculture and cattle raising.
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The "lights off" during the 18th century became
a blaze that shined intensely and brought Minas into the spotlight
of Brazilian politics. The Crown wanted to institute a Derrama
in 1789, which would have required all the workers to pay
a quota of gold that would guarantee their earnings, regardless
of what it would cost everyone. This was the spark that caused
a group of men to rise up against the governors and other
important figures of the metropolis. They wanted liberty,
information, and equality. They wanted the independence of
Brazil and the creation of a Republic modeled after European
philosophical thought and the recent French revolution (which
happened in that same year). Opposers of the revolution gave
the movement names such as "Inconfidência" (disloyalty),
"Conjuração" (revolution), or "Traição"
(treason).
The flag of the new nation would have a red triangle
representing the "Santissima Trindade," and Latin phrase "Libertas
quae sera tamem." This flag is now the flag of Minas Gerais.
The movement was ruined by a traitor, however, whose name
was Joaquim Sjilverio dos Reis, who went to the Crown and
was granted amnesty.
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The majority of the conspirators were sent into exile.
Only the second lieutenant, Joaquim José da Silva Xavier,
or Tiradentes, was condemned to the gallows, finally being executed
in Rio de Janeiro in 1792. His body was placed on a post in full
view in Vila Rica, and today a monument is built there in honor
of the martyr. Tiradentes prophesized that a revolution was inevitable,
even if it would take 10, 20 or 100 years for the people to attain
liberty. He was right, and Brazil became independent on September
7, 1822.
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