Brazil!

Brazil is an interesting exception in South American independence. Its transition from colony to country is fully worthy of the explanation point in the title (and honestly probably a few more). Unlike the rest of the continent, Brazil was controlled by the Portuguese crown. However, much like the rest of the continent, Brazil’s history was impacted by Napoleon’s conquest in Europe. When Napoleon marched into Portugal, the Portuguese King Joao VI fled to Brazil. That’s right, the Portuguese King decided to avoid the European conflict and seek asylum in his colony in South America. Brazil turned out to be a very good experience for Joao. He enjoyed the lifestyle in Brazil and actually spent time talking to the people about what made them unhappy. In fact, after hearing some complaints, Joao changed the trading policies for Brazil and opened it to more foreign trade.

Joao liked Brazil so much that even after Napoleon pulled out of Portugal, Joao decided not to return to Europe. Instead, in 1815, Joao made Brazil a kingdom of Portugal. Of course, Portugal was not very happy with this set up; their king was halfway across the world and not doing much for a country that had just been invaded. In 1820 Portugal was growing riotous and impatient waiting for their King to return. So, knowing he had to go back, Joao placed his son Pedro in charge of Brazil and returned to Portugal in 1821. Before he left, Joao asked warned his son that once the Portuguese throne was restored, it wouldn’t be long before there was a move to return Brazil to its colonial status. Joao told his son that when it came time for a Brazilian revolution it should be Pedro leading them. Sure enough, with Joao back in place, a movement was made to restore Brazil to a colony, and when the revolution formed in Brazil, Pedro was in the lead.

 

Brazil was able to gain its independence in 1821 and Pedro I became the first emperor of Brazil. Pedro would remain in place until 1831 when he was forced to return to Portugal and take up the crown after his father’s death. Pedro I then left his son, Pedro II in charge (who was only five at the time). Pedro II led a fairly peaceful monarchy and held a liberal philosophy. However, the monarchy started to seem outdated when the existence of slavery in Brazil began to be questioned. Eventually Pedro II (or rather his daughter) abolished slavery in Brazil in 1888, but it was too little too late. Pedro II remained in power until November 15, 1889 when Brazil was changed to republic and Pedro II was replaced.