Segundo Reinado (resumo)

Summary

The Second Reign in Brazil, marked by relative political and economic stability, saw the dominance of two main political parties: Conservatives and Liberals. Dom Pedro II's reign was characterized by the implementation of a parliamentary system and various reforms, including the Alves Branco tariff and the Eusébio de Queirós law. Despite the growth of the coffee economy, Brazil's slavery system persisted until the late 19th century, eventually ending with the abolition of slavery. A series of revolts, including the Praieira Revolt and the Paraguayan War, culminated in the empire's decline, leading to the military coup of 1889 and the establishment of the republic.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Second Reign of Brazil began in 1840 with Dom Pedro II assuming power, marking a period of political and economic stability.
• 😀 The political landscape during this time was dominated by two main parties: the Conservatives, who supported a strong central imperial government, and the Liberals, who favored greater provincial autonomy.
• 😀 Dom Pedro II adopted a parliamentary system based on Britain, where the emperor appointed the prime minister from three candidates proposed by the parliament.
• 😀 The implementation of the Alves Branco Tariff in 1844 increased taxes on imported goods, aiming to boost Brazil’s industrial growth and government revenue.
• 😀 In 1850, Brazil enacted the Euzébio de Queirós Law, which banned the transatlantic slave trade, responding to international pressure, especially from Britain.
• 😀 The Law of Lands (1850) required land registration and made it easier for wealthy individuals to purchase land, turning land into a commodity that benefited the elite.
• 😀 Coffee became Brazil’s primary export and economic driver, with production booming in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
• 😀 To replace the labor force lost due to the end of slavery, Brazilian coffee growers hired European immigrants, particularly Italians and Germans, who were subsidized by the government.
• 😀 The Praieira Revolt (1848-1849) in Pernambuco, influenced by European liberal movements, was a significant uprising against the empire, calling for universal suffrage, freedom of the press, and the end of Portuguese influence on Brazilian trade.
• 😀 The Paraguayan War (1864-1870) resulted in a devastating loss of life but led to the eventual weakening of the monarchy, as it exposed issues within the imperial administration, including its treatment of the military.
• 😀 The gradual abolition of slavery was marked by laws like the Ventre Livre Law (1871) and the Sexagenarian Law (1885), culminating in the Golden Law of 1888, which abolished slavery without addressing the social integration of former slaves.
• 😀 The decline of imperial support from the Catholic Church, military, and landowning elites, combined with mounting economic pressures, ultimately led to the military coup on November 15, 1889, which deposed Dom Pedro II and established the Republic.

Q & A

What was the political situation like during the Second Empire in Brazil?

The Second Empire in Brazil (1822-1889) was marked by relative political and economic stability. It saw the alternation of power between two main political parties: the conservatives, who advocated for a strong and centralized imperial government, and the liberals, who wanted more autonomy for the provinces.

How did Dom Pedro II manage political power during the Second Empire?

Dom Pedro II managed political power by alternating between the two major political parties (conservatives and liberals) to maintain balance. He adopted a system inspired by British parliamentary rule, where the emperor selected the Prime Minister from a list of three names presented by the parliament, giving him substantial control over the government.

What was the significance of the Alves Branco Tariff of 1844?

The Alves Branco Tariff of 1844 increased import duties on foreign products, aiming to protect Brazilian industry and raise tax revenues. Products with no domestic equivalent were taxed at 30%, and those with a local equivalent at 60%, encouraging the growth of Brazil's industrial sector.

What were the main causes of the Praieira Revolt of 1848?

The Praieira Revolt in Pernambuco was influenced by the European liberal movements of 1848, known as the Springtime of the Peoples. The revolt's main demands included the abolition of the moderating power of the emperor, universal suffrage, greater freedom of the press, and an end to Portuguese dominance in Brazilian trade.

What was the economic focus of Brazil during the Second Empire?

The economy during the Second Empire was centered around coffee production, which became the main export product. The coffee industry was concentrated in the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro regions, and it helped stabilize Brazil's trade balance. With the abolition of the slave trade, coffee planters increasingly employed free labor, primarily consisting of European immigrants.

How did European immigration impact Brazil during the Second Empire?

European immigration, particularly from Italy and Germany, was encouraged by the Brazilian government to replace enslaved labor after the Euzébio de Queirós Law (1850) prohibited the transatlantic slave trade. Immigrants, many of whom were fleeing wars in Europe, were transported at government expense to work on coffee plantations in Brazil.

What role did the Church play in the decline of the Brazilian Empire?

The Church played a crucial role in the eventual fall of the empire. The conflict arose when Dom Pedro II intervened in ecclesiastical matters, such as ordering Brazilian bishops to obey orders from the Pope, which led to widespread dissatisfaction among the clergy and Catholics. This weakened the emperor’s support from religious sectors.

What was the significance of the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) for Brazil?

The Paraguayan War (also known as the Triple Alliance War) was a devastating conflict for Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay against Paraguay. Brazil participated in the war to prevent Paraguay from annexing territory, and although the conflict ended with the defeat of Paraguay, it weakened the Brazilian Empire by depleting resources and causing significant military and civilian casualties.

How did the Brazilian military contribute to the fall of the monarchy?

The Brazilian military, which gained importance after the Paraguayan War, became increasingly discontented with low salaries and lack of recognition. The military’s dissatisfaction, combined with the declining support of other elite sectors, played a crucial role in the 1889 coup that overthrew the monarchy and led to the establishment of the Republic.

What were the laws that contributed to the gradual abolition of slavery in Brazil?

Several laws were enacted to gradually abolish slavery in Brazil. These included the Euzébio de Queirós Law (1850), which prohibited the slave trade; the Ventre Livre Law (1871), which freed children born to enslaved mothers; and the Sexagenarian Law (1885), which granted freedom to enslaved people over 60 years old. Finally, the Golden Law (1888) abolished slavery entirely, although it did not address the integration of freed people into society.