Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil (1831-1891)
Unlike most of the neighboring Hispanic American republics, Brazil had political stability, vibrant economic growth, constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech, and respect for civil rights of most of its subjects. Unfortunately, several political mishaps as well as personal tragedies in the life of its last emperor Pedro II, resulted in its shocking fall from grace - the Emperor was overthrown at the peak of his popularity, but unwilling to fight, and the empire was replaced by a dictatorial and ineffective republic, which stalled the nation's progress.
But what if some things had happened differently? What if the Empire of Brazil kept on the track to becoming a great power?
This is my take on a Better Brazil.
Points of Divergence[]
- Pedro Afonso, Prince Imperial of Brazil does not die from a fever in 1850 and grows to become Dom Pedro III. Due to this, his father does not fall into depression and neglect his rule and the status of the monarchy, resulting in the prevention of the military coup of 1889. Brazil does not decline due to the ineffectiveness and corruption of the new regime and is a more stable and prosperous state.
- In 1844, the finance secretary of the city of Rio, which was Brazil’s largest port at the time, created a tax of 40% to 60% on British consumer goods in order to increase the city government’s revenue. Unlike in OTL, Pedro II does not budge to British pressure to abolish the Alves Branco Tariff. The emperor stands up to Britain, expanding the tariff to ALL Brazilian ports, and creating the Imperial Steel Company (a parallel to the National Steel Company, which was created in the 30’s, and finally kickstarted Brazil’s industrial development), providing a basis for the Brazilian industry to develop, and making the Imperial Family wealthier in the process. This results in an earlier industrialization and better development of Brazil.
Alternate timeline[]
- A brief trade war would occur with Britain, but Brazil would ally and gain the support of all of their rivals, such as the US and France. Britain would likely impose a trade blockage for a time, which would result in the development of a stronger navy.
- Brazil becomes more self-sufficient and dominant on the continent.
- The war of the Triple Alliance would happen differently. Being the only industrialized country in the region, Brazil would be quicker to mobilize its armies and swiftly pacify Uruguay and Paraguay, annexing both countries before Argentina, who joined the war for territorial gain, could do anything about it. The Brazilian government would not give any territory to Argentina, who was late to join the conflict effectively, resulting in a brief war between the two states, where Brazil decisively defeats the former and annexes all the lands east and north of the Parana River.
- After the war, an industrial bourgeoisie would be born in Brazil, who would want the slaves to be freed, so they could become a consumer market for industrialized goods. That coupled with the fact that many slaves would have fought in the war and the whole imperial family being against slavery, would mean that it would be abolished a year or two after the conflict.
- Brazil would become the dominant country in South America, virtually dominating the Latin-American world south of Panama. A cold war would briefly take place between them and the US.
- After finding rubber in the Amazon region, due to having its own industry, the demand for it would be even higher. As a result, in an alliance with Chile, Bolivia would be partitioned between the two countries.
- French Guiana was annexed in 1867, following a dispute with the Second French Empire due to their intervention in Mexico.