Riachuelo

a battle of controversies

  • Francisco Eduardo Alves de Almeida Oficial de Marinha, professor de História Naval e Estratégia do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estudos Marítimos (PPGEM) da Escola de Guerra Naval. É historiador graduado, mestre e doutor em História Comparada pela UFRJ. Membro emérito do Instituto de Geografia e História Militar do Brasil.
Keywords: naval battle, occupation of historian, War of Paraguay, Battle of Riachuelo, Riachuelo controversy

Abstract

The Naval Battle of the Riachuelo has been intensely discussed during the last 150 years. The interpretations of English-speaking authors have been particularly harsh on the actions of the Brazilian Navy. In this paper we intend to discuss the function of the historian and his professional instruments, in order to effectively analyze five controversies: the initial position of the imperial naval forces, the comparison between the warring powers, the beginning of the battle, Barroso’s performance in that combat, and, finally, how decisive that battle actually was.

Published
2020-06-15
Issue
Vol 11 No 21 (2015): Revista Navigator - Dossiê 150 anos da Batalha Naval do Riachuelo: reflexões e abordagens sobre a Guerra da Tríplice Aliança - I
Section
Dossie