Portugal faced similar calls for independence in Brazil, as revolutions in Latin American spread across the continent. However, Brazil's drive for independence was quite different—there was no war. When Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Portugal, its royal family fled to its colony of Brazil and made the city of Rio de Janeiro its new capital and center of Portugal's empire. Once Bonaparte was defeated in 1815, the Portuguese King John and his family returned to Europe, intending to make Brazil a colony once more. The creoles of Brazil were unhappy with the decision. Around 8,000 creoles signed a petition, requesting that the king's son, Dom Pedro, rule over an independent Brazil. The prince agreed and the former colony became independent without widespread bloodshed.
