War of Canudos

The War of Canudos was a conflict in Brazil from 1896 to 1897, where government forces fought against a rural community led by a religious leader, Antonio Conselheiro. Conselheiro’s settlement in Canudos became a symbol of resistance for poor and marginalized people opposing the new republic’s authority. The government viewed the community as a threat and sent large military expeditions to suppress it. Despite fierce resistance from the villagers, the military eventually destroyed Canudos, resulting in high casualties. The war highlighted tensions between rural populations and centralized authority, as well as issues of social inequality and religious influence.