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The son of Dom Pedro I (1798-1834) of Brazil and his Austrian wife, Empress Leopoldina (1797-1826), was named Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Salvador Bebiano Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Gonzaga. Born in 1825 (d. 1891), he was acclaimed Emperor Dom Pedro II on April 7, 1831, the day of his father's abdication, but did not assume his powers until he came of age on July 23, 1840. In the meantime, José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838) served as his legal guardian. Dom Pedro II was crowned on July 18, 1841, and reigned for almost fifty years until he was overthrown on November 15, 1889, with the advent of the republic.
Dom Pedro II received an excellent classical education that served him well. During his long reign, Brazil experienced domestic peace, prosperity, and progress. For example, it was in these years that Brazil built its first stone-paved road, "União e Indústria" (Union and Industry), linking Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis, and Juiz de Fora. In the same era, Brazil's first steam-engine locomotive started running from Santos to São Paulo in 1868, the Brazil-Europe submarine cable was installed, telephone service began in 1877, and Brazilians instituted their first postal stamp.
Dom Pedro II welcomed the republic as a natural evolution in the history of Brazil. When he departed into exile, he expressed his "ardent wishes for the greatness and prosperity of Brazil." He died in exile in Paris in 1891 and France gave him a royal funeral. In 1925, Dom Pedro's remains were transferred to Brazil, where they now rest in Petrópolis in the cathedral that he helped found. |
Decreto da maioridade de Dom Pedro II [Decree of Pedro II’s majority], 1840. National Library of Brazil. Manuscript Division.
At the age of fifteen, after the Senate declared that he had reached his majority, Dom Pedro II became emperor on December 18, 1841. Brazilians received the news with relief and euphoria.
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