Western Hemisphere 165
Participants: 220 France/140 Brazil
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Brazil declared a blockade of the Rio de la Plata estuary as part of a new
war with the Argentine confederation that started in December 1825. However, the
blockade as instituted by Brazil was not well coordinated, and the line between block-
ade and rampant piracy was frequently violated. Three Western powers— England,
France, and the United States—vigorously protested these acts and the injuries suf-
fered by French citizens. One of these states, France, ultimately lost patience with
Brazil. On July 6, 1826, a French admiral sailed to Rio to compel the Brazilian
government to address its demands. The incident was a significant blow to Brazilian
pride. The French made an extravagant display of arranging its fleet outside Rio to
compel the Brazilian Empire into acknowledging the French claims under the weight
of the French navy. The Emperor admitted wrongdoing and agreed to put forward a
satisfactory resolution to the issue.
MID#1647
Dispute Number: 1647
Date(s): May 15, 1895 to March 16, 1896
Participants: 220 France/140 Brazil
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: Both France and Brazil claimed the Amapa territory of northern Bra-
zil. These claims naturally intensified after finding evidence of gold deposits in the
region. On May 15, 1895, Francisco Xavier de Veiga Cabral, Brazilian commander
in the region, invaded Amapa/Mapa/Cayenne and captured French Captain Trajan.
In response, the governor immediately dispatched the French warship Bengali, with
Captain Lunier and 15 boatloads of marines. Cabral, upon seeing Lunier and his men,
ordered his men to fire, igniting a clash that lasted two hours. Several men on both
sides were killed, including Lunier. Tensions escalated over the next several months.
Inhumanities committed by Cabral against Frenchmen in the territory were reported as
ongoing in November 1895. Cabral’s fortifications and reinforcements were reported
in December 1895. On February 28, 1896, Brazil ordered a cruiser to the waters of
Amapa to prevent French troops from landing in the territory following threats from
France earlier that month. On March 16, it was reported that France and Brazil had
come to a settlement, though negotiations continued. The Brazilian Congress opened
on May 14, 1896, to present the agreement as France and Brazil continued negotiations.
After months of additional negotiations, France and Brazil agreed to settle their
dispute by arbitration in December 1896.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from Missing. End Date changed from Missing.
MID#1646
Dispute Number: 1646
Date(s): May 1895 to August 15, 1895