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| Proclamation of the First Republic of Brazil |
The history of the coup and the proclamation of the First Republic could be traced back from the War of Triple Alliance. The War of Triple Alliance or the Paraguayan War was an uneven war between the large countries of Brazil and Argentina, in addition with Uruguay, against the small nation of Paraguay. During the course of the war, Brazil was able to produce highly trained military officers. This officers were young and were not from the elite class of aristocrats and landowners. And some of them were able to study abroad under the sponsorship of the government.
Within
this new ranks of military officers, new idea spread – positivism. Began in
France during the middle of the 19th century, one its most famous thinkers
Auguste de Comte promoted the use of logic and rationality. This idea
transferred to an idea of a technocratic government where skills, merit,
experience, and knowledge were the basis of promotion and also of governance.
It ran against the politics of the Empire that was ruled by an elite and
wealthy land owners, and most importantly, an emperor who ruled the people under
birth and divine rights. One of the most famous preacher of the positivist
ideas was a military officer named Benjamin Constants. Constants taught in the
military academy and spread positivism to the next generation of officers and
later would play key role to the ousting of Pedro II and the monarchial system
in Brazil.
The
support of this officers on the monarchy further drop after the war. When the
war ended, they felt unpaid and unappreciated. Furthermore, the budget of the
military was slashed and meant that would not be paid well for their
sacrifices. Thus, they become disenchanted of the Imperial system.
After
the war, the officers gain the support and respect from different sectors of
Brazilian society. The middle class supported the military for their bravery
and determination during the long and arduous War of Triple Alliance. Also,
along with the lower classes of the society, they saw representation from these
officers because they came from the same class. In addition, professionals also
supported the officials. Mainly, due to the reason that they also believed in
the idea of positivism.
Another
aspect of the rise of republicanism in Brazil was in politics. Ever since the
start of the reign of Emperor Pedro II, two faction rivaled in the Senate or
the legislature of the Empire. These parties were the Liberal and the
Conservatives. Both, however, did not represent all classes of Brazilian
society. They were representing only the two views of the wealthy landowners.
But, in 1866, split occurred within the Liberal faction. And after four years,
those who seceded formed the Republican Club. Under their Republican Manifesto,
they promoted the idea of provincial autonomy and the disadvantages of a
centralized government, which existed under the monarchial system.
Already,
professionals, military, and some politicians were already losing, if not, lose
faith on the monarchial system, but there would be another one which would add
to the list – the church, the Roman Catholic Church. In 1870’s, a clash between
the clergy and Pedro II raged under the so-called “Religious Question” –
Masonry. The Catholic Church wanted to punish religious groups that had members
who were also freemasons. Many of those were hit were politicians. Among them
was the Prime Minister. The issue was raised to Pedro II, who supported
masonry. The clash between monarchy and the church resulted to the arrest of
two prominent bishops. The act against the clergy resulted to the tremendous
decline of support of the church to Pedro II.
And
one of the greatest factor to the rise of Republicanism was slavery. Many were
already against slavery, especially within the military ranks. In 1888, while
the Emperor was on a vacation trip abroad, the person temporary in charge of
the Empire, was persuaded to sign the Lei Aurea or the Golden Law, which
abolished slavery throughout the Empire. For many, especially in the army, the
abolition of slavery marked the end of an old institution which in their
thoughts, should also include the monarchial system.
And
so the die was cast for change in the form of government. The 1880’s saw the
rapid decline on the health of Emperor Pedro II. Also, he did not have a male
heir but had daughters, which in a patriarchal society were not acceptable as
rulers. And thus, many saw it an opportunity for a change in government. Also,
the popularity of the monarchy was in a sharp decline. During that period, the
control of the government became even more autocratic, centralized, and
non-representative. Many of the provinces were not able to enjoy the fruits of
their economic growth because they were channeled back through the central
government and not the local.
There
were signs given to Pedro about the chance of the overthrowing of the monarchy.
In 1887, the first president of the newly established military club, Field
Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca wrote a letter addressed to Emperor Pedro II
that any insult to the military and if reforms were not carried out, a “storm”
would come. In 1889, the Viscount of Ouro Preto from the Liberal Party became
the Prime Minister. He warned the Emperor of the numerous calls for a change of
form of government, from monarchy to a republic. Nevertheless, the old Pedro II
was too weak to begin change in a rapidly changing Brazil.
On
November 9, 1889, the plot to overthrow the monarchy was forged. Pedro II was
in his summer palace in Petropolis, just outside Rio de Janeiro. The Prime
Minister remained confident that Field Marshal da Fonseca was loyal to the
emperor even though with the warning letter from 1887. Hence, Viscount of Ouro
Preto felt there was no imminent threat of a coup. But on November 9, in the
Military Club in Rio, Benjamin Constant, the famous military officer promoting
Positivism, officiated a meeting with high ranking Republicans like Rui Barbosa
and Aristides Lobo. From the meeting, Marshal da Fonseca, who by time was old
and in his twilight years, was hesitant in supporting and leading the coup. But
with the persuasion of Constant and others, da Fonseca later agreed to lead the
coup.
Six
days later, on November 15, 1889, after a careful planning, the coup began. On
the morning of that day, troops poured in to the capital and captured many
government houses. Field Marshal Florian Peixoto, another high ranking official
and thought by the Prime Minister as another loyal officer to the Emperor, did
not move to stop the coup. The Prime Minister’s office was surrounded and the
Viscount of Ouro Preto was forced to resign and was arrested. Upon the
resignation of the Prime Minister and the capture of key government buildings,
Marshal da Fonseca proclaim the abolition of the monarchy and the foundation.
On
the following day, the faith of Pedro II was decided. Pedro returned to Rio
from his palace in Petropolis. He was then informed of the establishing of a
Republic. The military officials then sent Emperor Pedro II an ultimatum. He
must leave the country within 24 hours. The officials needed Pedro II to leave
the country immediately so as to prevent a civil war between the Republicans
and the Monarchist. Pedro II who was old and knew he could no longer stay in
power, decided to leave his homeland Brazil. And on November 17, 1889, Pedro II
and his family sailed back to Portugal. He would eventually passed away on 1891
in Paris. To the surprise of many foreigners observing the events in Brazil. There
was not even a single cry of support for the defense of the monarchy during the
time of the coup. It was appeared as if the whole nation already made up their
minds that it was time to move on.
Meanwhile,
the Republicans began to set up the government of the new Brazil. Marshal da
Fonseca assumed the presidency of the Republic. It was decided that Brazil
would be known as the United States of Brazil with the slogan that remain today
– Ordem e Progresso or Order and Progress. On February 24, 1891, the Republican
constitution of Brazil was promulgated. Under the Republic, the
decentralization was promoted by establishing a federal type of government.
Provinces were then converted into states and were given autonomy. States were
given power over their respective economies and to form their own state
militias. Furthermore, secularization began with the separation of the church
and state. The First Republic of Brazil would remain in power until 1930.
The birth and foundation of the First Republic of Brazil was a change a change of an era. The Empire of Brazil under Pedro II brought economic growth and institutional reform which would ironically bring it down. With a war, Empire saw the rise of new military officers enlighten with the idea of positivism and later republicanism. Its clash with different sectors of society drained its support. Finally, the abolition of slavery meant the end of an old and outdated era, which include the monarchy itself. With a weary Emperor, the Republicans, led by the military, made the move to change from a monarchy to a new republic. A republic that was meant to be more representing and gave more powers to the state level. Finally, with the foundation of the Republic, Brazil saw a new powerful and influential entity governing the nation – the Military. The military became a powerful entity, intervening with coups twice throughout the existence of the Republic and lastly, it was the military that caused the fall of the First Republic.
The birth and foundation of the First Republic of Brazil was a change a change of an era. The Empire of Brazil under Pedro II brought economic growth and institutional reform which would ironically bring it down. With a war, Empire saw the rise of new military officers enlighten with the idea of positivism and later republicanism. Its clash with different sectors of society drained its support. Finally, the abolition of slavery meant the end of an old and outdated era, which include the monarchy itself. With a weary Emperor, the Republicans, led by the military, made the move to change from a monarchy to a new republic. A republic that was meant to be more representing and gave more powers to the state level. Finally, with the foundation of the Republic, Brazil saw a new powerful and influential entity governing the nation – the Military. The military became a powerful entity, intervening with coups twice throughout the existence of the Republic and lastly, it was the military that caused the fall of the First Republic.
Bibliography:
Bethell,
Leslie (ed.). Brazil: Empire and Republic, 1822 - 1930. New York: Cambridge
University Press, 1989.
Levine,
R. The History of Brazil. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
Smith,
J. A History of Brazil. New York: Routledge, 2014.
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