When did the Empire of Brazil exist?

The Empire of Brazil existed 1822–1889. On this map it is drawn 1822–1889.

How large was the Empire of Brazil?

At its greatest extent drawn on this map, the Empire of Brazil covered about 8.6 million km². That is the largest area the border data gives it across the years it is drawn, not necessarily its greatest extent in history.

South America · Independence and the wars of liberation

Empire of Brazil

1822–1889

See it on the map → Wikipedia ↗

Existed: 1822–1889
Shown on the map: 1822–1889
Peak area: 8.6M km²
Region: South America

Overview

The Empire of Brazil was the independent monarchy that governed Brazil from 1822 to 1889 — the only long-lasting monarchy in the Americas. It was born on 7 September 1822 when Prince Pedro of Braganza, regent and heir to the Portuguese throne, declared independence from Portugal on the banks of the Ipiranga River (the "Grito do Ipiranga"), reputedly crying "Independence or Death!" He was acclaimed Emperor Pedro I on 12 October 1822 and crowned on 1 December. A brief Brazilian War of Independence expelled remaining Portuguese garrisons by 1824.

History

Pedro I granted the Constitution of 1824, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral General Assembly and a distinctive fourth branch, the "Moderating Power" (Poder Moderador), vested in the emperor. Facing political opposition, the loss of the Cisplatine War (which made Uruguay independent in 1828), and pressure over his Portuguese entanglements, Pedro I abdicated on 7 April 1831 in favor of his five-year-old son, departing for Europe. A turbulent regency period (1831–1840) followed, marked by regional revolts (the Cabanagem, the Sabinada, the Balaiada, and the Farroupilha).

Decline and legacy

Pedro II was declared of age at 14 in 1840 and reigned until 1889 — the longest and most stable reign in Brazilian history. Under him Brazil consolidated as a stable parliamentary monarchy, won the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870), and enjoyed a coffee-driven economic expansion. Pedro II was a cultured patron of science and the arts. The monarchy's foundations eroded over slavery: the Law of Free Birth (1871) and the total abolition of slavery by the Golden Law (Lei Áurea) of 13 May 1888 — signed by Princess Isabel as regent — alienated the powerful landowning class. Combined with rising republican and positivist sentiment in the army, this led to the military coup of 15 November 1889, led by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, which deposed Pedro II and proclaimed the Republic. The imperial family went into exile.

Common questions

What was the Empire of Brazil?: The Empire of Brazil was the independent monarchy that governed Brazil from 1822 to 1889 — the only long-lasting monarchy in the Americas. It was born on 7 September 1822 when Prince Pedro of Braganza, regent and heir to the Portuguese throne, declared independence from Portugal on the banks of the Ipiranga River (the "Grito do Ipiranga"), reputedly crying "Independence or Death!"
When did the Empire of Brazil exist?: The Empire of Brazil existed 1822–1889. On this map it is drawn 1822–1889.
How large was the Empire of Brazil?: At its greatest extent drawn on this map, the Empire of Brazil covered about 8.6 million km². That is the largest area the border data gives it across the years it is drawn, not necessarily its greatest extent in history.
Who ruled the Empire of Brazil?: Pedro I granted the Constitution of 1824, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral General Assembly and a distinctive fourth branch, the "Moderating Power" (Poder Moderador), vested in the emperor. Facing political opposition, the loss of the Cisplatine War (which made Uruguay independent in 1828), and pressure over his Portuguese entanglements, Pedro I abdicated on 7 April 1831 in favor of his five-year-old son, departing for Europe.
How did the Empire of Brazil end?: Pedro II was declared of age at 14 in 1840 and reigned until 1889 — the longest and most stable reign in Brazilian history. Under him Brazil consolidated as a stable parliamentary monarchy, won the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870), and enjoyed a coffee-driven economic expansion.

Sources

This compendium cites its sources once for the whole document rather than per territory. It names English Wikipedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica and the World History Encyclopedia as the basis of these profiles, supplemented by academic and museum sources and, for recent events, by reputable news outlets. The article this entry is anchored on:

Wikipedia — Empire of Brazil en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_Brazil

This entry was last updated 12 September 2026.

This entry was researched and drafted with AI from the sources above, and has not been reviewed by a historian. How entries are made

Text available under CC BY-SA 4.0: reuse it with a credit to The World Through Time and a link to this page. Passages drawing on the Wikipedia articles listed above are also licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 by their contributors.

Border geometry for the map itself comes from Cliopatria v0.12 (Seshat Global History Databank, CC-BY-4.0).

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