Empire of Brazil

Brazil, 1822–1889. Draft, not yet reviewed

On 7 September 1822, Pedro declared the independence of Brazil and, after waging a successful war against his father's kingdom, was acclaimed on 12 October as Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil. The empire's government was a representative parliamentary constitutional monarchy under the rule of Emperors Pedro I and his son Pedro II. Slavery, which had initially been widespread, was restricted by successive legislation until its final abolition in 1888. On 15 November 1889 the Emperor was overthrown in a sudden coup d'état led by a clique of military leaders.

Seat of power: Rio de Janeiro

Rulers

Pedro I of Brazil

Emperor of Brazil, 1822–1831

Pedro I chose the Brazilian side and declared Brazil's independence from Portugal on 7 September 1822. A few months later, Pedro I crushed the short-lived Confederation of the Equator, a failed secession attempt by provincial rebels in Brazil's northeast. Unable to deal with problems in both Brazil and Portugal simultaneously, on 7 April 1831 Pedro I abdicated in favor of his son Dom Pedro II, and sailed for Europe.

Portrait of Pedro I of Brazil: Simplício Rodrigues de Sá, Public domain, file

John VI of Portugal

Emperor of Brazil, 1825–1826

John VI was King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1816 to 1825, and after the recognition of Brazil's independence, titular Emperor of Brazil and King of Portugal until his death in 1826. John lost Brazil when his son Pedro declared independence, and his other son Miguel led a rebellion that sought to depose him.

Portrait of John VI of Portugal: Albert Gregorius, Public domain, file

Pedro II of Brazil

Emperor of Brazil, 1831–1889

Pedro II was the second and final emperor of the Empire of Brazil, and he reigned from 1831 until his deposition in the military coup of 1889. His government was characterized by political stability, freedom of speech, respect for civil rights, economic growth, and the functioning of a constitutional parliamentary system. Pedro II ultimately supported and enabled the abolition of slavery in Brazil.

Portrait of Pedro II of Brazil: Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy, Public domain, file

Culture

Slaves were regarded as property and not citizens.
The Empire's bicameral parliament was elected under comparatively democratic methods for the era, as were the provincial and local legislatures.
Brazilian visual arts, literature and theater developed during this time of progress.

Picture

The Museu Imperial de Petrópolis is housed in the Petrópolis Imperial Palace, the former summer residence of Emperor Pedro II.

Image: Filipo Tardim, CC BY-SA 4.0, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.