Born in the city of Itu, São Paulo, Prudente José de Moraes e Barros was the third president in the history of Brazil and the first civilian to hold the position. Representing the strength of São Paulo coffee growers, Prudente de Moraes won the 1894 presidential elections.
The government of Prudente de Moraes was marked by political turmoil, in an attempt to pacify two antagonistic sides: the defenders of the military government and the supporters of the monarchy. One of the first issues the president had to resolve was the Federalist Revolution in Rio Grande do Sul, so he signed peace with the rebels.
In 1896, Prudente de Moraes had to interfere in a diplomatic incident involving Brazil and England, the latter who occupied Trindade Island for no reason. Finally, the issue was resolved favorably to Brazil. Another serious problem that occurred during his government was the Canudos War.
In the backlands of Bahia, a socio-religious revolt emerged that infected more and more people. Led by Antônio Vicente Mendes Maciel, better known as Antônio Conselheiro, the sertanejos protested against the tax amounts and the terrible conditions in which they lived. The Federal Government organized a large army and ended the movement.
On November 5, 1897, Prudente de Moraes was attacked, however Marshal Carlos Machado Bittencourt, Minister of War, was wounded in his place and died.
The economic difficulties caused, mainly, by the stranding policy forced the Government to make new loans, greatly increasing the external debt. Prudente de Moraes died on December 13, 1902, a victim of tuberculosis.
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiab/prudente-morais.htm
