THE Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil occurred day November 15, 1889 headed by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca (1827-1892), who became the first president of Brazil.
The event represented the end of the Constitutional Monarchy and the beginning of the Republican Era, establishing the presidential regime in Brazil.
Summary of the Proclamation of the Republic
In the late nineteenth century, part of the elite was unhappy with the reign of D. Pedro II (1825-1891).
The military felt discredited since the Paraguayan War, they asked for a salary increase and more participation in the government. Several military personnel also supported the Positivism, both in its religious and philosophical versions.
Already the coffee growers, after the enactment of laws in favor of gradual abolition and without compensation, were increasingly unhappy.
Farmers in the west of 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.
The Coup on November 15, 1889
On November 15, 1889, a group of soldiers, including Benjamin Constant (1836-1891), prepared a military uprising.
To lead them, they choose Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, main head of the Brazilian army. However, as Deodoro was a friend of the Emperor, he is told that they are going to overthrow the office of the Visconde de Ouro Preto.
The troops gather in Campo de Santana, in the center of Rio de Janeiro, and Marechal Deodoro, ill at the time, overthrows the office of Visconde de Ouro Preto (1836-1912). At that time, the republic had not been proclaimed.
Only later, with Deodoro already back at his house, several politicians insist that he sign a document declaring the extinction of the monarchy. They claimed that the emperor would nominate the politician Silveira Martins (1835-1901) in place of the Visconde de Ouro Preto.
As Silveira Martins was a former enemy of Marshal Deodoro, he signs the motion of the republic, and becomes the Head of the Provisional Government.
With that, the Proclamation of the Republic represented the end of the Brazil Empire that had lasted about 70 years. as to Dom Pedro II and his family, they were banned from Brazil and sailed to Europe at dawn on November 17th.
The population would only find out about these events later. Dom Pedro II did not want to call his allies to avoid a civil war in Brazil.
Early years of the Republic of Brazil
The Provisional Government provided for a referendum for the population to choose between the parliamentary monarchic regime or the republic. Such consultation would only be carried out 103 years later.
Marshal Deodoro organized the symbols of the Republic as the Brazilian National Anthem, a Brazil's flag and also national policy.
The president and vice president were chosen by election. Importantly, both were not competing on the same ticket, being elected separately. Thus, Deodoro da Fonseca was elected president and Marshal Floriano Peixoto, as vice president.
As the first two Heads of Government and State were from the Army, the first years of the Republic were known as Republic of the Sword.
Expand your knowledge with these texts:
- republican state
- First Republic
- Constitution of 1891
- The proclamation of the Republic Day
- flag day
- Military Intervention
