Crise do 2º Reinado (Abolicionismo e Republicanismo)

Summary

This lecture discusses the collapse of Brazil’s Second Empire and the rise of the Republic in 1889. Key factors include economic shifts, the weakening of the monarchy’s support base due to tensions with the church and military, and the growing abolitionist movement. The elites, particularly the coffee barons, were threatened by the monarchy’s slow pace of change, and their interests played a significant role in the downfall. The eventual abolition of slavery in 1888, without compensation to slave owners, triggered a coup, leading to the military overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a republic. This resulted in internal conflicts over the republic’s future direction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brazil's 19th-century transformations were marked by the arrival of capitalism, modernization, and imperial influences.
• 😀 The rise of a new elite of coffee farmers in São Paulo's western region led to the decline of the old monarchic system, as this new bourgeoisie saw the monarchy as an obstacle.
• 😀 The Brazilian monarchy was Catholic and intertwined with the church, but Emperor Pedro II's interference with the church weakened its support base.
• 😀 The Brazilian military, strengthened by the Paraguayan War, began to lean towards republican ideas, advocating for the end of slavery and the abolition of the monarchy.
• 😀 The issue of slavery remained central to Brazil's elites, who tried to prolong slavery by seeking compensation for enslavers as the abolition movement gained strength.
• 😀 The abolition movement became a broad mass movement, with figures from both elite and popular classes, pushing for the immediate abolition of slavery without compensation for slaveowners.
• 😀 The legal framework to end slavery included measures like the Free Womb Law (Ventre Livre) and the Sexagenarian Law, gradually freeing enslaved people.
• 😀 The abolition movement eventually led to the proclamation of the Golden Law (Lei Áurea) in 1888, but it caused tension among the elite coffee barons in the Paraíba Valley, the last stronghold of slavery.
• 😀 The loss of the monarchy's support base coincided with the rise of republican movements, which included various conflicting visions of government: liberal, federal, and authoritarian.
• 😀 The republican movement culminated in the military-led coup of November 15, 1889, overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a republic in Brazil, albeit one marked by internal divisions and crises.

Q & A

What was the main issue faced by the Brazilian monarchy during the second reign?

The main issue was the lack of political stability and economic development, which led to its eventual collapse. Factors such as conflicts with the military, religious issues, and the weakening of support from the elites contributed to the monarchy's downfall.

How did the coffee planters of São Paulo play a role in the collapse of the monarchy?

The coffee planters, or the bourgeoisie, were economically powerful but no longer relied on slave labor. This new elite saw the monarchy as an obstacle, as its slow and symbolic rhythm clashed with the rapid pace of capitalism they were pursuing.

What impact did Dom Pedro II's interference with the Church have on his political support?

Dom Pedro II's interference in church matters, such as vetoing papal decisions and imprisoning bishops, weakened his support base, especially among the deeply religious factions of Brazilian society, further eroding the monarchy's legitimacy.

What was the significance of the Paraguayan War for the Brazilian military?

The war, which lasted much longer than expected and caused significant loss of life, ultimately strengthened the Brazilian military. However, upon returning from the war, the military adopted an abolitionist stance and began pushing for republican ideas, further distancing itself from the monarchy.

What was the central issue for Brazilian elites regarding slavery during the 19th century?

The primary issue was the preservation of slavery, as it was fundamental to their economic system, especially for the coffee barons. Many elites pushed for the indefinite continuation of slavery, even as abolitionist movements gained momentum.

How did the abolitionist movement in Brazil evolve?

The abolitionist movement grew significantly in the late 19th century, becoming a mass movement that included various social groups, including lawyers, intellectuals, and urban middle-class citizens. It eventually led to the demand for immediate abolition without compensation for slave owners.

What was the impact of the Lei Áurea (Golden Law) of 1888?

The Lei Áurea, which abolished slavery in Brazil, was passed in 1888, but by this time, slavery had already become a minor part of the economy. The law disproportionately harmed the coffee barons, the monarchy’s last major support base, contributing to the monarchy's collapse.

What were the key political projects discussed by different groups during the Republic's formation?

Three main political projects emerged: one from the oligarchies advocating for a liberal republic with minimal state intervention, another from the military advocating for an authoritarian, centralized state, and a third from urban middle classes promoting a republic that expanded citizenship and popular participation.

Why was the proclamation of the Republic in 1889 a result of political maneuvering rather than popular support?

The Republic was proclaimed through a coup that involved an alliance between the military and the oligarchies. Despite some support from elites, the general population was indifferent to the monarchy’s fall and had not been directly involved in the political process.

How did the different republican projects affect the early years of the Brazilian Republic?

The early Republic was marked by political instability due to the competing republican projects: the military’s centralizing approach, the oligarchies’ push for minimal state intervention, and the urban middle class’s demand for greater citizenship and participation, which resulted in continued crises.