Pedro II
Emperor
Pedro II was Emperor of Brazil following the abdication of his father Pedro I in 1848. He reinforced Brazil's dedication to the Continental Ordinance, in which he signed during a conference between King William I of America, King Henri I of Haiti, King John I of Peru, King Charles I of Argentina, Emperor Vicente II of Mexico.
In 1864, he led Brazil through the war with the Republic of Paraguay, allied with the Kingdom of Argentina. During this war, the relationship between Brazil and Argentina improved, as Pedro kept in communication with Robert I of Argentina. A marriage proposal between Robert and Pedro's daughter Leopoldina was proposed, but ultimately dismissed.
Following the war, Pedro signed the Golden Law, aboloishing slavery throughout the Empire. This came after major pressure from fellow American monarchs and the long-serving liberal government. That same year, his daughter Leopoldina passed away. Pedro adopted his young grandsons.
In 1878, Pedro was overthrown temporarily by a republican government supported by Gran Colombia while abroad in Europe with his wife and grandchildren. Later in the year, backed by a coalition of American, Argentine, and Haitian support, he was reinstated. He requested his daughter and heir, Isabel, to return with him. Isabel, however, refused, preferring to stay in Europe. He then began grooming his grandson, also named Pedro, to be his heir.
In order to gain the required troops from Argentina needed to restore the monarchy, Pedro negotiated a marriage between the eldest daughter of King Robert, Maria, and one of Pedro's grandsons. The idea was for Maria to marry Pedro as he was the heir presumptive, but his mental temperament scared away marriage prospects. Maria was instead wed to Augusto when they became of age.
Social
Reign
1849 - 1891
Family Ties
Relationships
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Previously Held Ranks & Titles
Life
1825
1891
66 years old
Spouses
Teresa Cristina
(spouse)
Siblings
Children
Comments