Decline and fall of Pedro II of Brazil

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This article is part of a series about Pedro II of Brazil
Early life (1825–40) Consolidation (1840–53) Growth (1853–64) Paraguayan War (1864–70) Apogee (1870–81) Decline and fall (1881–89) Exile and death (1889–91) Legacy
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Pedro II
Pedro II c. 1887
Emperor of Brazil
Reign	7 April 1831 – 15 November 1889
Coronation	18 July 1841 Imperial Chapel
Predecessor	Pedro I
Successor	Monarchy abolished
Regents	See list (1831–1840)
Prime ministers	See list
Head of the Imperial House of Brazil
Tenure	7 April 1831 – 5 December 1891
Predecessor	Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil
Successor	Isabel, Princess Imperial
Born	(1825-12-02)2 December 1825 Palace of São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, Empire of Brazil
Died	5 December 1891(1891-12-05) (aged 66) Paris, France
Burial	5 December 1939 Cathedral of São Pedro de Alcântara, Petrópolis, Brazil
Spouse	Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies ​ ​ (m. 1843; died 1889)​
Issue Detail	Afonso, Prince Imperial Isabel, Princess Imperial Leopoldina, Princess Ludwig August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Pedro Afonso, Prince Imperial
Names Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Habsburgo-Lorena e Bragança
House	Braganza
Father	Pedro I of Brazil
Mother	Maria Leopoldina of Austria
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Signature

The decline and fall of Pedro II of Brazil took place in the 1880s. It coincided with a period of economic and social stability and progress for the Empire of Brazil, with the nation achieving a prominent place as an emerging power in the international arena.

While Pedro II's rule began in 1840,^[1] the roots of the collapse of the monarchy can be traced as far back as 1850, when Pedro II's youngest male child died. From that point onward, the emperor himself ceased to believe in the monarchy as a viable form of government for Brazil's future, as his remaining heir was a daughter. Although constitutionally permitted, a female ruler was considered unacceptable by both Pedro II and the ruling circles. This issue was deferred for decades, while the country became more powerful and prosperous. So long as the emperor was in good health, the question of succession could be ignored.

From 1881 on, Pedro II's health began to fail, and he gradually withdrew from public affairs. Weary of being tied to a throne that he doubted would survive his death, he persevered because there seemed to be no immediate alternative and because it was his duty. His daughter and heir, Isabel, also did not exhibit a desire to assume the crown. Both, however, had the support of the Brazilian people. The royal family's indifference to the Imperial system allowed a discontented republican minority to grow bolder and eventually launch the coup that overthrew the Empire.

Pedro II may be considered a rare instance of a head of state who, despite being considered a highly successful ruler to the end, was ultimately overthrown and exiled.