Dom Pedro II

ON

Born: December 2, 1825, Palace of Saint Christopher, Rio de Janeiro Died: December 5, 1891, Paris, France, age 66 Children: Isabel, Imperial Princess of Brazil, Leopoldina of Braganza, More Full name: Pedro of Alcantara Great-grandchildren: Isabel of Orleans and Braganza, Pedro Henrique of Orleans and Braganza, Mais Grandchildren: Louis of Orleans and Braganza, Peter of Orleans and Braganza, More Spouse: Teresa Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1843–1889) Home Braganca Father: Pedro I of Brazil Mother: Maria Leopoldina of Austria Religion: Catholicism

ABOUT

Pedro II (full name: Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga; Rio de Janeiro, December 2, 1825 – Paris, December 5, 1891), nicknamed "the Magnanimous",[1][2] was the second and last monarch of the Empire of Brazil, having ruled the country for a period of 58 years. He was the youngest son of Emperor Pedro I of Brazil and Empress consort Maria Leopoldina of Austria and, therefore, a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza. Born in the Imperial Palace of São Cristóvão, in Rio de Janeiro, his father's abrupt abdication and departure for Portugal made Pedro emperor at the age of five. Forced to spend most of his time studying in preparation for reigning, he knew few moments of joy and friends his own age. His experiences with palace intrigues and political disputes during this period had a great impact on the formation of his character. Emperor Pedro II became a man with a strong sense of duty and devotion to his country and his people. On the other hand, he increasingly resented his role as monarch.

He was declared of age to assume the government and prevent the disintegration of the Empire, leaving his republican successor a country characterized as an emerging power in the international arena. The nation distinguished itself from its Spanish-American neighbors by its political stability and especially by its form of government: a functional constitutional parliamentary monarchy. Brazil was also victorious in three international conflicts (the War of the Platine, the War of Uruguay and the War of Paraguay) under his empire, as well as prevailing in other international disputes and domestic tensions. A scholar, the emperor established a reputation as a vigorous sponsor of knowledge, culture and science. He earned the respect and admiration of scholars such as Graham Bell, Charles Darwin, Victor Hugo and Friedrich Nietzsche, and was a friend of Richard Wagner, Louis Pasteur and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, among others. Pedro II did not allow any measures against his removal and did not support any attempt to restore the monarchy through war. The deposed emperor spent the last two years of his life in exile in Europe, living alone. A few decades after his death, his reputation was restored and his remains were brought back to Brazil amid widespread celebrations.

EARLY YEARS

BIRTH

Pedro was born at 2:30 a.m. on December 2, 1825, in the Palace of São Cristóvão, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Baptized in honor of Saint Peter of Alcantara, his full name was Pedro de Alcantara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga. His father, Emperor Pedro I, was the founder of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza and his name was preceded by the honorific "Dom" ("Mister" or "Lord") from birth. He was the grandson of the Portuguese King John VI and nephew of Michael I. His mother was Archduchess Maria Leopoldina of Austria, daughter of Francis II, the last Holy Roman Emperor and first Emperor of the Austrian Empire. Through his mother, Pedro was a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte and a cousin of Emperors Franz Joseph I of Austria and Maximilian of Mexico. The only legitimate male child of Pedro I to survive infancy, he was officially recognized as heir to the Brazilian throne with the title of Imperial Prince on August 6, 1826. Empress Consort Leopoldina died on December 11, 1826, a few days after giving birth to a stillborn boy, when Pedro was one year old. Pedro had no memories of his mother, except for what was later told to him. The influence and memory of his father also faded over time, and he did not keep strong images of Pedro I, but only few and vague memories. Two and a half years after Leopoldina's death, the emperor married Amélia of Leuchtenberg. Prince Pedro spent little time with his stepmother; however, they created an affectionate relationship and maintained contact until her death in 1873. Emperor Pedro I abdicated on April 7, 1831, after a long conflict with the liberal faction (which in turn would later split into the two dominant parties in the monarchy, the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party) dominant in parliament. He and D. Amélia immediately left for Europe, where the

TITLES AND HONORS

Forms of treatment and titles 2 December 1825 – 7 April 1831: His Imperial Highness The Prince Imperial. 7 April 1831 – 15 November 1889: His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. November 15, 1889 – December 5, 1891: His Imperial Majesty Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil. The monarch's form of address and full title were "His Imperial Majesty, Dom Pedro II, by the Grace of God, and Unanimous Acclamation of the People, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil". Honors edit Brazilian: Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Saint Benedict of Avis. Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Sant'Iago da Espada. Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross. Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Peter the First. Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Rose.

TITLES AND HONORS

Foreigners: Second Mexican Empire Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Mexican Eagle Austria-Hungary Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen Belgium Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold Kingdom of Romania Grand Cross of the Order of the Star Denmark Knight of the Order of the Elephant Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Januarius Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Ferdinand and Merit Second French Empire Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor Kingdom of Greece Grand Cross of the Order of the Savior Netherlands Grand Cross of the Dutch Order of the Lion Spain Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece United Kingdom Foreign Knight of the Order of the Garter Sovereign Military Order of Malta Grand Cross of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Vatican Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Duchy of Parma and Piacenza Grand Cross of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Kingdom of Portugal Grand Cross of the Order of Our Lady of the Conception of Vila Viçosa Kingdom of Portugal Grand Cross of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit Kingdom of Prussia Grand Cross of the Order of the Black Eagle Russian Empire Grand Cross of all Russian Orders of Chivalry Kingdom of Italy Grand Cross of the Order of the Annunciation Sweden Grand Cross of the Order of the Seraphim Sweden Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star Ottoman Empire Grand Cross of the Order of the Medjidié (First Class)