Navigator (Jun 2015)
Riachuelo: uma batalha de controvérsias
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.
