Independence Proclaimed.— The general , movement in favor of independence that trans formed the Spanish colonies north, south and west of Brazil into republics produced con spiracies and plots in Bahia and Pernambuco. Troops were brought out from Portugal to restrain every violent manifestation of the re publican spirit. Meanwhile, however, in Portu gal itself the revolution of 1820 had led to a modification of the old autocratic system, and the forces from that country, openly sympathiz ing with the aspirations of the Brazilian people, compelled King John to yield. The latter withdrew from America soon afterward (26 April 1821), leaving his son, Dom Pedro, to work out the problem in Brazil as best he might. The attitude • of the Cortes of Portugal in this crisis was exceedingly unwise: instead of offering concessions, it directed the dissolu tion of the central government, and ordered Dom Pedro to return to Portugal. Assured of the support of the people of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, who requested him to disobey this command, Dom Pedro proclaimed the independ ence of Brazil, 7 Sept. 1822. He became con stitutional Emperor the following month. In the hostilities which ensued the Brazilians were so successful that independence was assured before the end of 1823. The constitution of the empire was adopted on 25 March 1e24. But a peculiar situation in the ruling family re mained to be disposed of. Since October 1822, Dom Pedro had been Emperor of Brazil, while his father was King of Portugal. The dramatic climax occurred 25 Aug. 1825, when a treaty was signed in London by virtue of which King John first assumed the title of Emperor of Brazil and then immediately abdicated in favor of his son. As the popularity of Dom Pedro I was due to the disposition he showed at first to accede to the wishes of the liberals, so it is necessary to ascribe his loss of popularity in the years 1826-31 to his unwillingness to trust the people more and more, as their demand for participation in the government steadily in creased. The statement found in some recent histories, to the effect that Pedro I was a brutal tyrant, whose reign ended in public disgrace, is incorrect. It was his tact that saved the mon archy in 1821; but the growth of republicanism in the next decade was much more rapid among the people than at his court, and finally the breach became so wide that no course was left to him but to surrender his crown before the succession of his son, the 2d Pedro, should be disputed, and to take ship for Lisbon, where it had become a duty to defend the claim of his daughter, Maria II, to the throne of Portugal. At any time after 1810 outrageous tyranny on the part of Portuguese rulers would have thrown Brazil into the advancing column of revolutionary states. The significant facts are, that Pedro I was able to postpone the inevitable change for 10 years, and that Pedro II (whose majority was proclaimed 23 July 1840) suc ceeded in maintaining the monarchical form in America until 15 Nov. 1889. The regency by which the affairs of Brazil were administered (1831-40) was much like a republican govern ment, especially after 1834. Probably it would have been impossible to revert to a monarchy if the weakness and misconduct of the regents had not brought discredit upon everything savoring of democracy.
The suppression of the revolution of 1848; discontinuance of the importation of slaves, in 1853; and the creditable part taken by Brazil in thwarting the ambitious designs of the Argentine dictator, Rosas (see ARGENTINA) these are the chief events before 1855. In that year a Brazilian squadron was sent to settle a dispute with Paraguay as to the right of way for Brazilian vessels on the Parana River. This
river which rises in Brazil, flows beside Para guay, and finally through the territory of Argen tina, it was declared should be open to'the com merce of all three nations equally. The war ships failed to accomplish the desired result, and for a decade vexatious restrictions were placed upon the vessels of Brazil, Argentina and the United States. In 1865 an outrage by Lopez, the dictator of Paraguay, brought on a war in which Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay were allied against the offending country (see PARAGUAY). This bitter struggle, protracted until 1870, cost Brazil the lives of many thou sands of her citizens, and about $300,000,000. In the year following the restoration of peace a law was enacted for the abolition of slavery, the growth of which had been checked in 1853. It was provided that thenceforth every child born of slave. parents should be free.
Brazil a Republic.—A bloodless revolution terminated the reign of Dom Pedro II, and the Federal republic was proclaimed, 15 Nov. 1889. A provisional government, instituted for this purpose, published (24 Feb. 1891) the consti tution of 'The United States of Brazil," re sembling that of the United States of America in nearly every respect, though Brazilian senators serve for nine years, like those of Argentina, while the President's term of office is but four years. Marshal Deodora da Fon seca, head of the provisional government, was confirmed in the presidency by the Constitutional Congress, and Gen. Floriano Peixotto was elected Vice-President. The next President (15 Nov. 1894) was Prudente de Moraes Barros. The 3d President, Dr. Manoel Ferraz de Campos Salles, was elected for the term be ginning 15 Nov. 1898. His successor, Senor Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves, inaugu rated 15 Nov. 1902, made a statement of the national policy in his inaugural address which may be summarized as follows: A good financial condition in the republic is of prime importance; but scarcely less essential are re forms in the laws applicable to civil suits and elections. Agricultural and commercial condi tions must be improved, and endeavors made to attract immigration and capital. Modern systems of sanitation must be installed at the ports, including Rio de Janeiro. The aug mentation of the army and navy may be under taken when the condition of the treasury war rants such expenditures.
It will be readily understood that the cir cumstances to which reference has been made in this sketch, such as the issuance of large amounts of paper currency, which it was for merly the fashion to call irredeemable; the change from the basis of slave to free labor; the overthrow of the monarchy; foreign wars, and rebellions in one state after another, have combined to depress Brazilian credit and retard industrial development. To these unfavorable influences must be added the decline in the prices of coffee, Brazil's staple product, and of sugar, her chief reliance in times past. On the other hand there is observable a tendency toward greater stability in the national policy; a large amount of paper money was, before 1903, called in and destroyed; and interest has been shown recently in efforts to develop the enormous natural resources of the country and to maintain standards of health in the chief ports. In November 1903 the dispute with Bolivia in regard to the Acre region was ter minated, Bolivia surrendering her claims to 73,750 square miles on or near the Acre River in return for 886 square miles on the affluents of the Madeira and Abuna, 335 square miles on the left bank of the Paraguay, and the sum of $10,000,000 which Bolivia has expended with excellent results for the construction of rail ways.