Dom Pedro II (1825-1891) was the last emperor of Brazil, assuming the post of prince regent at the age of five, after the abdication of his father, Dom Pedro I. At the age of 15, he was crowned Emperor of Brazil. His reign lasted almost fifty years, beginning on July 23, 1840, and ending on November 15, 1889, when the Republic was proclaimed.
Born on December 2, 1825, at the São Cristóvão Palace (Quinta da Boa Vista) in Rio de Janeiro, Dom Pedro II was the son of Dom Pedro I and Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina. After his mother’s death in 1826, he was raised under the care of Dona Mariana Carlota de Verna Magalhães, later the Countess of Belmonte.
As the fourth child of the imperial couple, Dom Pedro II became heir to the throne after the death of his older brothers. At just five years old, his father abdicated the throne and left for Portugal, leaving Pedro as regent.
For his education, Dom Pedro I appointed José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva as his tutor. Later, he was replaced by the Marquis of Itanhaém, Manuel Inácio de Andrade Souto Maior. During his education, Dom Pedro II studied various disciplines, such as Portuguese language, literature, French, English, German, geography, natural sciences, painting, piano, fencing, and horseback riding.
After a troubled regency period, Brazil went through different governments and social and political conflicts. During the Second Reign, the country was marked by civil wars, external conflicts, and abolitionist and republican campaigns.
In 1840, at the age of 15, Dom Pedro II was declared of age and crowned emperor, ending the Regency Period. During his reign, he appointed several ministries and underwent changes in the form of government, adopting a parliamentary monarchy in 1847.
The Second Reign saw Brazil recover from economic crisis and undergo significant changes, including the modernization and urbanization of the country. Dom Pedro II and his wife, Teresa Cristina, had four children: Afonso, Princess Isabel, Princess Leopoldina, and Pedro.
The abolitionist campaign gained strength during the Second Reign, resulting in the signing of laws that gradually abolished slavery in Brazil. In 1888, Princess Isabel signed the Golden Law (Lei Áurea), which definitively extinguished slavery.
However, the monarchical regime was losing support and the republican ideal was gaining strength. In 1889, through political interests, the Republic was proclaimed and the imperial family was forced to leave the country. Dom Pedro II and his family were exiled.
After the death of Dom Pedro II, his remains were transferred to Brazil in 1921, during the government of President Epitácio Pessoa. His body was buried in the Cathedral of Petrópolis, in the imperial family mausoleum.
The death of Dom Pedro II marked the end of the imperial era in Brazil and the beginning of a new republican period. The proclamation of the Republic on November 15, 1889, brought significant changes to the country’s political and social structure.
Although his reign was marked by political stability and economic progress, Dom Pedro II faced challenges throughout his government, such as internal revolts, external conflicts, and pressures for the abolition of slavery.
During his reign, Brazil underwent important transformations, such as the development of industry, the expansion of the railway network, the modernization of the Army and Navy, and the construction of public works. The country also stood out on the international stage, participating in exhibitions and receiving visits from foreign leaders.
Dom Pedro II was known for his erudition, having been a scholar and patron of the sciences, arts, and letters. He was a member of several scientific and literary institutions and encouraged intellectual progress in Brazil.
Although his popularity declined in the last years of his reign, Dom Pedro II was admired for his ethical stance, his respect for the Constitution, and his dedication to the country. His figure is remembered as a symbol of the monarchy in Brazil and a period of political stability and development.
Over time, the image of Dom Pedro II has been the subject of different interpretations and historical analyses, being considered by some as an enlightened monarch and by others as a ruler incapable of dealing with the challenges of his time. His historical importance, however, is undeniable, as he was the last emperor of Brazil and left a legacy that is still discussed and studied to this day.
Chronology
1825: Birth of Dom Pedro II at the São Cristóvão Palace, Rio de Janeiro. 1831: Dom Pedro I abdicates the throne and Pedro II becomes prince regent at the age of five. 1840: At the age of 15, Pedro II is declared of age and crowned Emperor of Brazil. 1831-1840: Regency Period, with different regencies and social and political conflicts. 1841: Pedro II is crowned emperor on July 18, initiating the Second Reign. 1850: Signing of the Eusébio de Queirós Law, which abolished the slave trade. 1871: Enactment of the Law of the Free Womb (Lei do Ventre Livre), declaring free the children born to enslaved mothers. 1888: Signing of the Golden Law (Lei Áurea) by Princess Isabel, decreeing the extinction of slavery. 1889: Proclamation of the Republic on November 15, and the imperial family is exiled. 1891: Dom Pedro II dies in Paris, France, on December 5, at the age of 66.
