Dom Pedro I or Pedro I of Brazil was the first Emperor of Brazil which he ruled during the period 1822 and 1831.
It was he who declared the Independence of Brazil on September 7, 1822 and granted the first Constitution in 1824.
Biography
Portrait of Dom Pedro I by Simplício Rodrigues de Sá (1830)
Pedro I was born in Queluz (District of Lisbon), Portugal, on October 12, 1798. he was the son of Dom João VI from Portugal and the Infanta Carlota Joaquina from Spain.
Dom Pedro I's full name was Pedro de Alcântara Francisco Antônio João Carlos Xavier de Paula Miguel Rafael Joaquim José Gonzaga Pascoal Cipriano Serafim de Bragança and Bourbon.
He remained in Portugal during his childhood at the Palácio de Queluz. There he had a good education with classes in arts, letters and languages.
In 1808, when he was just 9 years old, he and his family moved to Brazil and began living in Quinta da Boa Vista, in Rio de Janeiro.
The Royal family left the country due to the French Napoleonic invasions that took place from 1807 onwards.
In 1817, Dom Pedro I married Maria Leopoldina Josefa Carolina of Habsburg, Archduchess of Austria, daughter of the Emperor of Austria.
With her he had six children: Maria da Glória, Miguel, João Carlos, Januária, Paula, Francisca and Pedro de Alcântara.
In 1820, his father returned to Portugal because of the Porto Liberal Revolution. Meanwhile, Pedro remains in Brazil as Prince Regent, appointed on April 22, 1821.
The Portuguese Crown sent a message for Dom Pedro I to return to Portugal; and even mentions the intention of Brazil becoming a colony again.
By refusing to return to the metropolis (Portugal), on January 9, 1822, he declares:
“If it's for the good of all and the nation's general happiness, tell the people I'll stay”.
This moment was known in the history of Brazil as the “day of stay”. This factor made the Portuguese Court very uncomfortable, which sent a letter of retaliation, while suspending payment of their income.
Consequently, he was responsible for the political independence of Brazil which took place on September 7, 1822. participated in the Confederation of Ecuador and of the Cisplatin War.
O first reign (1822-1831) began with the independence of Brazil. Dom Pedro's government was centralizing and authoritarian. Brazil was going through several difficulties and, therefore, the population's discontent increased more and more.
In 1826 he was widowed by his first wife, and in 1829 he remarried Amelia Augusta Eugenia Napoleon of Leuchtemberg, a German duchess. With her he had a daughter: Maria Amélia.
He had an extramarital relationship with Domitila de Castro Canto e Melo (Marquesa de Santos) and with her he had five children, three of whom died prematurely.
He died in his hometown on September 24, 1834, a victim of tuberculosis.
In 1972, on the 150th anniversary of Brazil's independence, the remains of Dom Pedro I were brought to the crypt of the Monumento do Ipiranga, in São Paulo.
Learn more about historical facts by reading the articles:
- The coming of the Royal Family to Brazil
- Joanine Period
- Independence of Brazil
- Causes of Brazilian Independence
Abdication of Dom Pedro I
When his father died in 1826, Dom Pedro I was appointed Monarch of Portugal. But he abdicated the crown and in its place was his eldest daughter Maria da Glória (who would be Queen Maria II), who was only 7 years old.
However, Miguel, the older brother of Dom Pedro I, claimed the throne of his niece.
With several problems to solve in the colony and in the metropolis, Dom Pedro I abdicates the throne of Emperor of Brazil on April 7, 1831.
In her place remained her youngest son, Pedro de Alcântara, who would ascend to the throne as Dom Pedro II, who at the time was 5 years old.
After leaving the position of Emperor of Brazil, he returns to Portugal with the title of Duke of Bragança. His aim was to assist his daughter with taking the throne.
The throne that had been usurped by his brother, Dom Miguel, sparked a civil war in the country.
This war lasted over 2 years and featured a fight between defenders of the liberalism and, on the other hand, those who advocated absolutism.
Shortly thereafter, Dom Pedro contracted tuberculosis, a fatal disease at the time. Because of this, he dies at the Palace of Queluz at just 36 years old.
Did you know?
Dom Pedro I was the 27th King of Portugal, with the title Pedro IV.
Given the importance of Dom Pedro I for the history of Brazil, there are several avenues, institutes, schools and commercial centers named after the Emperor.
Read more at:
- Independence Day - September 7th
- Monarchy
- Brazil
- Duque de Caxias
