Brazil

Abstract

In 1807 the royal family of Portugal fled to Brazil; in 1815 the colony was declared ‘a kingdom’; and the Portuguese Court having returned to Europe in 1821, a national congress assembled at Rio do Janeiro, and on May 13, 1822, Dom Pedro, eldest son of King João VI. of Portugal, was chosen ‘Perpetual Defender’ of Brazil. He proclaimed the independence of the country on September 7, 1822, and was chosen ‘Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender’ on October 12 following. In 1831 he abdicated the crown in favour of his only son, Dom Pedro II., who reigned as Emperor until November 15, 1889, when by a revolution he was dethroned, and he¹ and his family exiled, and Brazil declared a Republic under the title of the United States of Brazil.