Proclamação da República - Brasil Escola

Proclamation of the Republic: How and Why Did Brazil Transition from Monarchy to Republic?

The Shift from Monarchy to Republic

• On November 15, 1889, Brazil transitioned from a monarchy to a republic, marking a significant historical event. This change prompts questions about how and why it occurred, as well as its implications.

• Brazil's unique history includes being one of the few monarchies in Latin America during the 19th century while neighboring countries established republics after gaining independence from colonial powers.

Key Figures in Brazilian Monarchy

• Dom Pedro I led Brazil's independence movement as the heir to the Portuguese throne, followed by his son Dom Pedro II who ruled for 49 years until the monarchy's end in 1889. His daughter, Isabel I, was poised to succeed him.

The Role of Military Influence

• The Paraguayan War (1864-1870) significantly impacted Brazilian society and politics; it strengthened military forces and their desire for political involvement post-war. Soldiers returned as national heroes seeking greater influence over governance.

• During this period, Dom Pedro II faced health issues that distanced him from governance, allowing republican sentiments to gain traction among military officials and intellectual circles.

Emergence of Republican Ideals

• A surge in republican newspapers and public discourse criticized both Dom Pedro II and Princess Isabel during her regency due to her father's health problems. These discussions were prevalent in military clubs where officers debated monarchical support.

• Positivism emerged as an influential ideology among military officials during this time; it advocated for order and progress while aligning with republican ideals against the monarchy’s authority. This philosophy gained popularity through figures like Benjamin Constant who taught at military academies.

Economic Factors Influencing Change

• The rise of coffee cultivation in São Paulo shifted economic power away from traditional elites (the "barões do café") towards a new bourgeoisie interested in efficiency and profit rather than loyalty to the monarchy. This new elite became openly supportive of republicanism around the 1870s.

• In 1873, these coffee producers founded the Republican Party of São Paulo (PRP), which played a crucial role in advocating for republican values distinct from other factions within Brazil’s political landscape at that time. Their interests diverged significantly from those aligned with older monarchical structures or more traditional intellectual republicans based elsewhere like Rio de Janeiro.

The Factors Leading to the Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil

The Role of Political Elites and Military Support

• The Republicans united during the proclamation of the Republic, providing social support for the new regime established by military leaders in November 1889.

• Key factors influencing this shift included the role of São Paulo coffee growers in ending the monarchy and military positivists' influence on political dynamics.

Religious and Masonic Influences

• The "maçônico-religiosa" or religious question diminished support for the monarchy, particularly from the Catholic Church, which was a significant pillar for Emperor Dom Pedro II.

• Pope Pius IX's punitive measures against Freemasons due to their involvement in Italian unification could not be enforced in Brazil because it was not a secular state; Catholicism was officially recognized.

Tensions Between Church and State

• Under Brazil's 1824 Constitution, the emperor held authority over church matters, including papal decisions. However, Dom Pedro II resisted enforcing papal sanctions against Brazilian Freemasons due to their prominence among political elites.

• Notable figures like Duque de Caxias (Conservative Party leader) and Visconde do Rio Branco (Liberal Party leader), both prominent Freemasons, influenced Dom Pedro II’s decision not to comply with papal directives.

Consequences of Religious Discontent

• Bishop Dom Vital de Olinda defied imperial orders by supporting papal sanctions against Freemasons, leading to his imprisonment—a move that sparked public outrage and further alienated church support from the monarchy.

Abolition of Slavery as a Catalyst for Change

• The Golden Law (Lei Áurea), which abolished slavery in 1888, angered slave-owning elites who felt entitled to compensation for their lost 'property,' particularly affecting coffee barons who had previously supported the monarchy.

• This lack of compensation led former supporters of Emperor Dom Pedro II to withdraw their backing as they faced economic decline without indemnity.

Decline of Monarchical Support

• With diminishing support from both the Catholic Church and coffee barons—traditional pillars of monarchical power—the crown became vulnerable amid rising opposition from powerful military factions and an emerging bourgeoisie aligned with republican ideals.

The Fall of Monarchy: A Crisis Point

• A palace crisis emerged when Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca—who ironically identified as a monarchist—led troops through Rio de Janeiro on November 15, 1889. His actions marked a pivotal moment leading to regime change amidst minimal resistance from loyal forces.

Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil

Historical Context and Key Figures

• The dissolution of the cabinet led by Visconde de Ouro Preto was influenced by historical animosities, particularly between Deodoro da Fonseca and the military leadership.

• Marechal Deodoro, Brazil's first president, attributed blame for the proclamation of the Republic to key figures: Conde (husband of Princess Isabel) and Visconde de Ouro Preto, highlighting their roles in military persecution.

Aspirations and Realities Post-Proclamation

• The proclamation brought forth aspirations for modernity and progress; however, not all dreams were realized. For instance, while a secular state was established, many social issues persisted.

• The First Republic is characterized by various names reflecting its challenges: "Republic of the Colonels," "Oligarchic Republic," and "Coffee with Milk Republic," indicating regional power imbalances.

Social Issues During the First Republic

• Despite being termed a period of change, the so-called "Old Republic" remained conservative with ongoing struggles for social justice and democratization.

• Significant events like the Vaccine Revolt and Canudos War illustrated deep-seated social issues during this era. These uprisings highlighted public discontent with government policies.