Floriano Peixoto , known as the “Iron Marshal ”, was military and the second President of the Republic of Brazil, responsible for the consolidation of the republican regime.
Next to Deodoro da Fonseca , belonged to the period called “Republic of the Sword ” (1889 to 1894), since the first two presidents were military.
Floriano Peixoto was the second president of Brazil
Biography
Floriano Vieira Peixoto was born in the village of Ipioca in Maceió (AL), on April 30, 1839. Son of a humble family, Floriano was raised by his godfather, Colonel José Vieira de Araújo Peixoto.
He studied first in Maceió and later at Colégio São Pedro de Alcântara in Rio de Janeiro.
At the age of 16, he entered the Escola Militar do Rio de Janeiro, where he pursued a career in the Army as First Lieutenant, Major General of the Army and Lieutenant Colonel. He distinguished himself as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Paraguayan War, commanding the IX Regiment of Infantry.
He died in Barra Mansa, Rio de Janeiro, on June 29, 1895.
Government Floriano Peixoto
He distinguished himself in politics and in his military career, being president of the province of Mato Grosso. During the provisional government, in 1890, he was chosen as Minister of War, and in the following year he was elected as Vice-President of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-1892).
When Deodoro da Fonseca resigns, Floriano, as his deputy, assumes the presidency of Brazil on November 23, 1891.
During his rule, he kept a firm grip, as the country was going through a strong economic and political crisis, after the Proclamation of the Republic (1889).
At the time, many people took a stand against his rise to power, since they did not consider his mandate legitimate, as he assumes the position of vice president without direct elections. Therefore, they wanted to call new elections.
However, the “Iron Marshal” ruled between 1891 and 1894 and his policies were largely guided by the most popular sectors. He lowered taxes, product prices and housing, which generated great admiration from the population.
In turn, in this period, Floriano's populism bothered a large part of the country's elite, especially the liberal and decentralized coffee oligarchy.
This generated revolts across the country, such as the Federalist Revolution (1893-1895), in Rio Grande do Sul, triggered by the Federalists on one side and Republicans on the other.
He also faced the Revolta Armada (1893), a rebellion led by the Navy, in Rio de Janeiro. To end the revolts Floriano used force and violence.
He withdrew from public life and politics towards the end of his term. On November 15, 1894, Prudente de Morais (1841-1902) from São Paulo assumed the presidency of the country.
To learn more, read also:
- First Republic
- Brazil Republic
- Deodoro da Fonseca