The Americas

Empire of Brazil
AD 1822 - 1889

The 'Liberal Revolution' of 1820 in Portugal forced the king to return home after thirteen years in Brazil as part of the 'United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves', but it also paved the way for a constitution which called for Brazil to be reverted to a colony.

Naturally the Brazilians themselves resented the idea, and following a series of political agitations in Brazil, the king's son declared the country to be independent of Portugal on 7 September 1822. Apparently this was on the advice of his father, who preferred that a member of his family ruled the breakaway colony rather than a usurper.

Very shortly afterwards, on 12 October 1822, Peter was proclaimed the first emperor of Brazil, being crowned head of the constitutional monarchy on 1 December.

1822 - 1831

Son of John VI. Also Peter IV of Portugal.

1823 - 1824

From the outset, Peter faces problems in balancing the wishes of the conservative elements in the countryside against the more liberal wishes of urban dwellers, between the landed aristocracy who want a constitutional monarchy and the families of Portuguese origin who prefer an absolutist monarchy. The constitution which he presents gives him much more direct control than he had foreseen, aiding him in controlling the wilder areas of Brazil to the north and in preventing the kind of break-up that is already happening in the Spanish colonies in the Americas.

On the banks of the River Ipiranga, Pedro I issued the declaration of the independence of Brazil from Portugal. The event was known as the Grito do Ipiranga, the Shout of Ipiranga

1825 - 1827

King John VI of Portugal, under pressure from Britain, recognises the independence of Brazil In 1825 after the USA has already done so. However, while republican sentiment is soaring in Brazil, the country also becomes entangled in a two year-long war against Argentina, and the recently-seized Cisplatine region in the south of Brazil breaks away, establishing itself as the country of Uruguay. After the death of his father in 1826, Peter chooses to inherit the crown of Portugal, but he is quickly forced to abdicate that title in favour of his daughter.

1829

Becoming increasingly unpopular, due to his changes to the constitution, the war with Argentina, the death of his first wife, and his apparent indecision on whether to rule Brazil or Portugal, Peter marries Princess Amelie de Beauharnais von Leuchtenberg, daughter of Eugène de Beauharnais and the granddaughter of Empress Josephine of France. Amelie's brother also later marries Peter's daughter, Maria II of Portugal.

1831

With everyone of consequence now distancing themselves from him, Peter abdicates on 7 April. He nominates his son as his successor, with a series of regents governing the country in accordance with the constitution.

1831 - 1889

Son. Acceded at the age of five.

1840

On 23 July the Brazilian imperial parliament decrees that Peter II is of age to govern the country himself, abolishing the regency. Even though he is still only fourteen, he has proved to be a fair and even ruler, and the hope is that the revolts of the 1830s can be replaced with a head of state whom everyone supports. Indeed his liberal and compassionate approach brings stability and prosperity to the country for most of his reign.

Dau. Regent on three occasions when Peter was abroad.

1864 - 1870

As a result of Paraguay's declaration of war against Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay go to war against Paraguay in the War of the Triple Alliance (which is also known as the Paraguayan War or the Great War in Paraguay). It proves to be a long and costly affair, causing more casualties than any other South American war. Paraguay is totally defeated, but the war costs the emperor some of his popularity.

1889

In the aftermath of Paraguay's involvement with Brazil in the Paraguayan War the monarchy has come to be seen as a hindrance to modernisation and growth.

The final abolition of slavery without compensation in Brazil in 1888 (the last American country to do so), has already irritated the landowners, while the liberals call for greater autonomy.

The end for Peter II comes when a military coup overthrows him on 15 November 1889. He goes into exile in Europe (where his descendants maintain their hereditary title), while a new federal government is created for Brazil.