God is great, but the forest is even greater: military recruitment in imperial Brazil

Resumen

This article will analyze the tensions surrounding military service in Minas Gerais, especially during the Paraguayan War (1864-1870). Thereupon it will also examine the participation of the National Guard in the Empire’s military effort, especially in the province of Minas, that would have to provide a contingent of six thousand militia for the conflict with Paraguay, to the desperation of the provincial authorities.