Emperor Pedro I of Brazil

Summary

This video explores the fascinating history of monarchies in the Americas, focusing on the Empire of Brazil founded by Pedro I. It delves into the background of Brazil's elevation to a kingdom under Portuguese rule, Pedro's defiance against Portuguese colonial status, and his eventual coronation as emperor. The narrative also covers the challenges he faced, including rebellions and political strife, leading to his abdication. Pedro I's legacy includes his efforts for Brazilian independence and his advocacy for the abolition of slavery.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Americas have a history of monarchies, including the Kingdom of Haiti and the Empire of Brazil.
• 🏰 Brazil was a Portuguese colony that became a kingdom during the 15-year stay of the Portuguese royal family in Rio de Janeiro.
• 👑 Pedro I, the son of King John VI, became the Emperor of Brazil after a series of events including a revolution in Portugal and his defiance against being demoted to governor.
• 🗣️ Pedro I's famous speech ended with the words 'Independence or Death', which became a rallying cry for Brazilian independence.
• 👑 Pedro I was crowned Emperor of Brazil in December 1822, but his control over the country was initially contested by Portuguese loyalists.
• 📜 The first Brazilian constitution was drafted after a period of conflict and political maneuvering, including the dissolution of the Constituent and Legislative General Assembly.
• 🛑 There were attempts to secede from Brazil, such as the Confederation of the Equator and the declaration of independence of Cisplatina, which later became Uruguay.
• 🇵🇹 Portugal recognized Brazilian independence in 1825, but internal and external challenges continued for Pedro I.
• 👨‍👧 Pedro I faced the dilemma of being both Emperor of Brazil and King of Portugal after his father's death, leading to his eventual abdication of the Portuguese throne.
• 🚢 Pedro I abdicated the Brazilian throne in 1831 and left for Europe, where he fought for his daughter's rights in Portugal and advocated for the abolition of slavery.

Q & A

What was the status of Brazil under Portuguese rule before the arrival of the Portuguese royal family?

Before the arrival of the Portuguese royal family, Brazil was a wealthy and important colony claimed by the Portuguese crown since 1500.

Why did the Portuguese royal family decide to move to Brazil in 1807?

The Portuguese royal family moved to Brazil in 1807 because the Portuguese mainland was occupied by Napoleon's forces, and they sought to escape to a safer location.

How did Brazil's status change during the 15-year stay of the Portuguese royal family?

During the 15-year stay of the Portuguese royal family in Brazil, the colony was elevated to the rank of kingdom and enjoyed a large degree of autonomy.

What event led to Dom Pedro becoming the regent of Brazil?

Dom Pedro became the regent of Brazil when his father, King John VI, sailed for Portugal in 1821, leaving him in charge.

What was the reaction of Brazilians to the news that Brazil would revert to being a colony under Portuguese rule?

Brazilians, who had grown accustomed to self-rule, did not intend to let go of it easily and opposed the idea of reverting Brazil to a colony.

How did Dom Pedro respond to the orders to return to Portugal?

Dom Pedro decided to defy the orders to return to Portugal, emboldened by the growing Brazilian opposition.

What significant event occurred on Dom Pedro's 24th birthday?

On his 24th birthday, Dom Pedro was proclaimed Emperor of Brazil.

What was the outcome of the conflict between Brazil and the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata?

The conflict ended with the independence of Brazil's southernmost province, Cisplatina, which became the Republic of Uruguay.

Why did Dom Pedro decide to abdicate the throne of Portugal?

Dom Pedro decided to abdicate the throne of Portugal because a reunion of the two countries would have been unacceptable to the Brazilians.

What was the main reason for Dom Pedro's decision to abdicate the Brazilian throne?

Dom Pedro decided to abdicate the Brazilian throne due to a growing desire to leave the tedious life of a constitutional monarch behind and to fight for his daughter's rights in Portugal.

What was Dom Pedro's final request regarding his remains after his death?

Dom Pedro requested that his heart be placed in a church in Porto and his body be interred in the Pantheon of the House of Braganza.

Outlines

00:00

👑 The Rise of the Brazilian Empire

This paragraph delves into the historical context leading to the establishment of the Empire of Brazil. It begins by noting the Americas' unexpected association with monarchies, despite the continent's more commonly recognized democratic systems. The narrative then focuses on Brazil's transformation from a Portuguese colony to a kingdom, under the rule of the Portuguese royal family who fled to Brazil during Napoleon's invasion of Portugal. The story of Dom Pedro I, who would become the first emperor of Brazil, unfolds as he faces the challenge of maintaining autonomy for Brazil against the wishes of Portuguese revolutionaries. The paragraph culminates in Pedro's bold declaration of independence for Brazil, his subsequent coronation, and the early struggles of his reign, including quelling mutinies and establishing a constitution amidst internal and external conflicts.

05:01

🛑 Pedro I's Abdication and Legacy

The second paragraph continues the story of Dom Pedro I, detailing the challenges he faced as emperor of Brazil while also being concerned with his daughter's claim to the Portuguese throne. It describes the political turmoil in Portugal, where Pedro's brother Miguel usurped the throne, leading to Pedro's decision to abdicate the Brazilian throne in favor of his young son. The paragraph outlines Pedro's return to Europe, his efforts to rally support for his daughter's cause, and his eventual involvement in the Portuguese civil war. It concludes with Pedro's death from tuberculosis, his final plea for the abolition of slavery in Brazil, and the poignant detail of his heart being enshrined in Porto, symbolizing his enduring connection to the country he helped free.

Keywords

💡Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government in which a single individual, usually a king or queen, holds supreme authority. In the context of the video, it discusses how the Americas, contrary to common assumptions, have had a history with monarchies, such as the Kingdom of Haiti and the Empire of Brazil, founded by Pedro the First.

💡Kingdom of Haiti

The Kingdom of Haiti was a short-lived monarchy in the early 19th century. It is mentioned in the video as one of the examples of monarchies in the Americas, highlighting the historical presence of such governance systems in the region.

💡Empire of Brazil

The Empire of Brazil was a historical period from 1822 to 1889, when Brazil was ruled by an emperor. The video focuses on Pedro the First, who founded this empire, and his role in Brazil's history, emphasizing the significance of this era in the country's transition from a colony to an independent nation.

💡Pedro the First

Pedro the First, also known as Dom Pedro I, was the founder and the first emperor of the Empire of Brazil. The video details his actions and decisions that led to Brazil's independence from Portugal and his efforts to establish a stable government, showcasing his pivotal role in Brazil's history.

💡Portuguese Crown

The Portuguese Crown refers to the royal family and government of Portugal. In the video, it is mentioned that Brazil was claimed by the Portuguese Crown in 1500 and was their wealthiest colony. The actions of the Portuguese Crown, including the occupation by Napoleon's forces and the later push for Brazil to revert to a colony, are key to understanding the historical context of Brazil's struggle for independence.

💡Liberal Revolution

A liberal revolution refers to a political movement advocating for democratic reforms and constitutional governance. The video describes how a liberal revolution in Portugal in 1820 demanded the return of the royal family and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, which influenced the political developments in Brazil.

💡Constitutional Monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where a monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten constitution. The video explains how the revolution in Portugal led to the demand for a constitutional monarchy, which had implications for Brazil's political structure and Pedro's role as regent and later emperor.

💡Independence or Death

This phrase, uttered by Pedro the First, became a rallying cry for Brazilian independence. The video recounts the moment when Pedro declared 'Independence or Death', marking a turning point in Brazil's struggle for autonomy and signifying the determination to break free from Portuguese rule.

💡Constitutional Assembly

A constitutional assembly is a body convened to draft or revise a constitution. In the video, it is mentioned that such an assembly was elected in Brazil to draft a constitution for the empire. This highlights the efforts to establish a legal framework for the newly independent nation.

💡Secession

Secession refers to the act of a region withdrawing from a state or country to form a separate entity. The video describes attempts at secession in the provinces of Cisplatina and the formation of the Confederation of the Equator, illustrating the internal conflicts and challenges to Brazil's unity during its early years as an independent nation.

💡Abdication

Abdication is the act of a monarch renouncing their throne. The video discusses Pedro the First's decision to abdicate the throne of Portugal in favor of his daughter, Maria II, and later his abdication as Emperor of Brazil due to political unrest and his desire to fight for his daughter's rights in Portugal.

Highlights

The Americas have a history with monarchies, including the Kingdom of Haiti and the Empire of Brazil.

Brazil was a wealthy Portuguese colony until the royal family fled to Brazil due to Napoleon's occupation of Portugal in 1807.

During the royal family's stay, Brazil was elevated to a kingdom with autonomy.

After the French left Portugal, a revolution demanded the royal family's return and Brazil's demotion to a colony.

Prince Pedro, left as regent, defied orders to return to Portugal, supported by Brazilians who wanted to maintain self-rule.

Portuguese troops in Rio de Janeiro mutinied but were defeated by militias and civilians supporting Pedro.

Pedro declared independence from Portugal with the famous words 'Independence or Death'.

Pedro was proclaimed Emperor of Brazil on his 24th birthday, and was crowned in December 1822.

Despite being emperor, Pedro faced challenges from Portuguese loyalist troops stationed across Brazil.

The Constituent and Legislative General Assembly was elected to draft Brazil's constitution.

Pedro dissolved the Assembly in 1823 due to claims of a Portuguese conspiracy against Brazil.

A new constitution was drafted and approved by town councils, despite objections from some provinces.

Rebellions in the provinces of Cisplatina and others led to the short-lived Confederation of the Equator.

Brazil declared war on the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata over the independence of Cisplatina, which became Uruguay.

Portugal recognized Brazilian independence in 1825, but internal and international challenges persisted for Pedro.

Pedro's father's death made him King of Portugal, but he chose to abdicate in favor of his daughter Maria II.

Pedro faced political opposition and a coup in Portugal, leading to his decision to abdicate the Brazilian throne.

Pedro's abdication in 1831 was followed by his return to Europe to support his daughter's claim to the Portuguese throne.

Pedro's health declined, and he wrote an open letter to Brazilians advocating for the gradual abolition of slavery.

Pedro died in 1834, leaving a legacy of advocating for independence and the abolition of slavery.

Transcripts

when you think of the americas i'm

guessing the first thing that comes into

your mind is not the word monarchy

but actually the continents have been

home to a couple of them

not counting the pre-columbian ones

there was the kingdom of haiti during

the 1810s

and mexico was an empire on two

different occasions during the 19th

century

there was also the short-lived kingdom

of aricania and patagonia proclaimed by

a french lawyer

and finally there was the empire of

brazil lasting from 1822 till 1889

and founded by pedro the first which is

whom this video is about

but before we get to him we need a bit

of backstory

what is today brazil had been claimed by

the portuguese crown in the year 1500

and grew to become the wealthiest and

most important colony in their empire

and so when the portuguese mainland was

occupied by napoleon's forces in 1807

the royal family decided to escape to

brazil and set up a court in rio de

janeiro

during their 15-year stay there the

colony of brazil was elevated to the

rank of

kingdom and enjoyed a large degree of

autonomy

by 1820 however the french troops had

long since left the portuguese mainland

and a liberal revolution broke out there

demanding the return of the royal

family to europe and the establishment

of a constitutional monarchy

thus the following year kim jones vi

sailed for portugal

and left his eldest son pedro as regent

of brazil

however the revolutionaries back in

europe soon pushed to return the status

of brazil to being a colony

thereby pedro was in practice demoted to

merely being governor of the rio de

janeiro province

but by then the brazilians have gotten

used to having some degree of self-rule

and did not intend to let go of it so

easily

therefore when orders were sent to

modding pedro's return to portugal

he emboldened by the growing brazilian

opposition decided to defy them

as response to that portuguese troops in

rio de janeiro mutinied

and tried to persuade pedro to leave by

force but with the support of militias

and armed civilians

the troops were outnumbered and their

mutiny was put down

[Music]

by now it had become more and more

apparent that the final rupture with

portugal was inevitable

and so in the following months pedro

tried to uphold the semblance of unity

with the mainland for as long as

possible

while also going on a tour in the

provinces to garner support

on his way back from sao paulo the

prince received news that the portuguese

parliament would not accept any

self-governance for brazil

and that anyone who disobeyed their

orders were to be punished

after reading the letter the prince

mounted his horse and before his

entourage held a speech

ending with the words independence or

death

on his 24th birthday pedro was

proclaimed emperor of brazil

and two months later in december of 1822

he was crowned in the old cathedral in

rio de janeiro

but just because he now enjoyed the

title of emperor didn't mean that

actually had control over brazil

all over the country troops loyal to the

portuguese crown were still stationed

and it would take an additional two

years of fighting until the loss of them

surrendered

meanwhile the constituent and

legislative general assembly had been

elected for the purpose of drafting a

constitution for the empire

but as one of its members started

claiming the existence of a portuguese

conspiracy against brazilian interests

and that citizens of portuguese birth

including the emperor were involved in

it

pedro the first had ordered its

dissolution in 1823

he then put the newly established

council of state in charge of composing

a new constitutional draft which was

sent out to all town councils

where the vast majority voted in favor

of it

there were however still those who

objected against the centralized nature

of the new constitution

and together rebels in the provinces of

kiara pariba and tarnambuco

attempted to secede from brazil and form

the confederation of the equator

but by the end of 1824 that rebellion

had been put down

the country wouldn't be able to enjoy

peace for long though as

just a few months later a small band of

rebels backed by the united provinces of

the rio de la plata

later known as argentina declared

brazil's southernmost province of

cisplatina to be independent

in reality the united provinces expected

to be able to annex his platina

and so in response brazil declared war

on them in 1825 in the ensuing conflict

no one would gain the upper hand and it

would end after a couple of years with

the independence of cisplatina

as the republic of uruguay

but back in 1825 there had been some

good developments as well as portugal

finally decided to recognize brasilian

independence

however a few months after that pedro

received word that his father king john

vi

had died thus making him the new king of

portugal

but since a reunion of the two countries

would have been unacceptable

he soon announced his abdication of the

portuguese clown in pharaoh's eldest

daughter who would become

queen maria ii despite the application

though

pedro the first would in many ways

continue to act as absentee king of

portugal

and interfere in the country's

diplomatic and internal affairs

however having to maintain his position

as emperor of brazil

while simultaneously protecting his

daughter's interest in portugal

would prove a huge challenge for him

in 1828 two years into maria's reign the

throne was seized by pedro's brother

miguel

a reinstated absolute monarchy this

along with scandals and political

opposition in brazil added to pedro's

growing will to leave the tedious life

of a constitutional monarch behind and

instead go to portugal

where he could fight for his daughter's

rights champion the oppressed uphold

liberty

and live a life of freedom and action

that it seemed to have been better

suited for

he would finally make the decision to

abdicate after an incident in april of

1831.

unrest had recently broken out in the

capital following the harassment of

portuguese communities by street gangs

they had been incited by radicals within

the liberal party

and on the 11th of march that year the

portuguese had retaliated

the incapacity of the government to

restore order had prompted pedro to fire

the liberal cabinet

but upon doing that a large crowd also

incited by the radicals gathered in rio

de janeiro

and demanded the immediate restoration

of the cabinet

sometime after nightfall on the 6th of

april army troops including his royal

guard deserted the emperor and joined

the protesters

realizing how detached from brazilian

affairs had become pedro announced his

application a couple of hours later

he then sailed for europe and left his

five-year-old son also named pedro

as the new emperor of brazil the

following months

pedro traveled back and forth between

france and great britain in a failed

attempt to gain their support

while in paris hid however befriended

and received the full moral support of

the now aging marcus of lafayette

who famously fought in the american

revolutionary war

in january of 1832 he left paris for the

asuras the last portuguese territory

loyal to his daughter

from there he along with other prominent

portuguese liberals embarked for the

mainland

two years later he had successfully

restored his torture to the throne

but the war had taken its toll on pedro

and was now dying of tuberculosis

during his illness he wrote an open

letter to the brazilians

begging that they would adopt the

gradual abolition of slavery much like

he had done with this estate in santa

cruz

pedro died on the 24th of september 1834

and according to his request his heart

was placed in a church in porto

and his body was interred in the

pantheon of the house of braganza

[Music]

you