Pedro II (Dom Pedro II de Alcântara), 1825–91, emperor of Brazil (1831–89). At the age of five, he succeeded under a regency when his father, Pedro I Pedro I (Dom Pedro de Alcântara) (pā`drō)
..... Click the link for more information. , abdicated. He was declared of age in 1840. Pedro II's long reign was characterized by great social change, material progress, and wars with neighboring nations. Brazil aided Justo José de Urquiza Urquiza, Justo José de (h
..... Click the link for more information. in the war (1851–52) against Juan Manuel de Rosas Rosas, Juan Manuel de (hwän mänwĕl` dā rô`säs)
..... Click the link for more information. , at the same time intervening in Uruguayan affairs in support of Venancio Flores. Later, Brazil joined Argentina and Uruguay in the War of the Triple Alliance against Paraguay (1865–70). Pedro II was extremely popular, but the economic and social tendencies of his time betrayed him. In 1850 the slave trade was prohibited; in 1871 a law was passed providing for gradual emancipation; and, in 1888, when Pedro was in Europe, a law abolishing slavery was signed by his daughter Isabel Isabel, 1846–1921, princess imperial of Brazil; eldest daughter of Pedro II . She acted as regent in her father's absence. Her marriage to the comte d'Eu added to her own unpopularity and probably contributed to the growing republican sentiment of her time.
..... Click the link for more information. . Brazil's modernization led to widening divisions between the feudalistic countryside and the rapidly growing urban populations and newer export sectors. A coalition of the urban middle class, coffee planters, and the military increasingly disparaged the monarchy and its ties to the traditional landed class. They advocated the creation of a modern republic that would support the new coffee and industrial capitalism, finding additional allies in the church. Discontent became widespread, and the military, representing this diverse opposition, overturned the empire. The revolution was led by Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca Fonseca, Manuel Deodoro da (mänwĕl` dē
..... Click the link for more information. . Pedro was exiled, and spent the remainder of his life in Europe.

Bibliography

See biography by M. W. Williams (1937, repr. 1966); and study by E. V. de Costa, The Brazilian Empire: Myths and Histories (1985).

Pedro II

orig. Dom Pedro de Alcântara

(born Dec. 2, 1825, Rio de Janeiro, Braz.—died Dec. 5, 1891, Paris, Fr.) Second and last emperor of Brazil (1831–89). He became emperor at age five when his father, Pedro I, abdicated. After a period of regency, he was crowned in 1841. His concern for his subjects, skill at arbitrating political disputes, and leadership in economic matters brought stability to the country. He led Brazil into the Paraguayan War, which brought Brazil prestige and territory. His support eroded primarily over the issue of the imperial prerogatives. Emancipation was proclaimed in 1888; in 1889 Pedro II was removed in a military coup, and a republic was established. See also José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva.