The Proclamation of the Republic took place on November 15, 1889. On that historic date, the Monarchy came to an end and the Republican Era began in Brazil, establishing the presidential regime. The first president of Brazil was Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca.
Who proclaimed the Republic of Brazil
The republic was proclaimed by Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-1892), the main head of the Brazilian army, on November 15, 1889.
He has been chosen to lead a group of military personnel who are preparing a military uprising. Among these soldiers, Benjamin Constant (1836-1891) stood out.
Deodoro da Fonseca was ill. To convince him to lead the uprising, the military concealed from him that its main objective was to overthrow the monarchy, especially since the Marshal was a friend of the then Emperor Dom Pedro II.
So, to confuse the Marshal, the troops gathered in Campo de Santana, in the center of Rio de Janeiro, and overthrew the office of the Viscount of Ouro Preto (1836-1912). At that time, the republic had not been proclaimed.
Only later, with Deodoro already back at home, several politicians insisted that he sign a document declaring the extinction of the monarchy. They claimed that the emperor would appoint the politician Silveira Martins (1835-1901) in place of the Viscount of Ouro Preto.
As Silveira Martins was a former disaffected by Marechal Deodoro, he signed the republic's motion, and became the head of the Provisional Government.
With that, the Proclamation of the Republic represented the end of the Brazilian Empire that had lasted about 70 years. Dom Pedro II, who was the Emperor, was banished from Brazil with his family, and they left for Europe at dawn on November 17th.
The population only learned about these events later, because to avoid a civil war in Brazil, Dom Pedro II did not want to call his allies.
Summary:Why did the Proclamation of the Republic take place?
The Proclamation of the Republic took place because the Brazilian elite was dissatisfied with the reign of D. Pedro II (1825-1891). This dissatisfaction can be seen in important groups on the national political scene:the military, coffee growers and the Catholic Church.
Losing the support of these important groups made D. Pedro II more politically susceptible, causing the military coup that removed him from the throne he had occupied for 49 years.
The military felt discredited, since since the Paraguayan War (1864-1870) they had been asking for salary increases and greater participation in the government.
In addition, several supported Positivism, both in its religious and philosophical versions, which boosted the republican movement.
On the other hand, coffee growers, after the enactment of laws in favor of gradual abolition, and without compensation, were increasingly discontented.
The landowners of western São Paulo demanded more autonomy and political participation. In 1888, with the abolition of slavery in Brazil, the former slave owners turned against D. Pedro II, since this fact led to an increase in the costs of coffee production.
Finally, the Catholic Church withdrew support for the Emperor after conflicts involving Freemasonry. Pope Pius IX, in 1864, wrote a bull (official document) indicating that members of Freemasonry should be excommunicated.
As some important members of the government of D. Pedro II were Freemasons, the emperor decided not to accept this order, generating friction with members of the clergy, who did not accept this imposition of power over a papal decision.
Losing this support was fundamental to its downfall in 1889.
First years of the Republic of Brazil
The Provisional Government foresaw a referendum for the population to choose between the parliamentary monarchy regime or the republic. Such a consultation would only be held 103 years later.
Marshal Deodoro organized the symbols of the Republic such as the Brazilian National Anthem, the Flag of Brazil and also the national policy.
The president and vice president were chosen by election. It is important to note that both were not running on the same ticket, being elected separately. Thus, Deodoro da Fonseca was elected as president, and Marshal Floriano Peixoto, as vice-president.
As the first two Heads of Government and State were from the Army, the early years of the Republic became known as the Republic of the Sword.
Expand your knowledge with these texts :
- First Republic
- Republic Proclamation Day
- Anthem of the Proclamation of the Republic