| |||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Rio de Janeiro | ||||||
| Other cities | Luanda, Beira, Dili | ||||||
| Religion | Catholicism | ||||||
| Ethnic Group | European, Amerindian, Bantu, Timorese | ||||||
| Demonym | Brazilian | ||||||
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy | ||||||
| Legislature | Imperial Cortes | ||||||
| Emperor | |||||||
| Royal house: | Braganza | ||||||
| President of the Imperial Cortes | Michel Temer | ||||||
| Established | 1815 | ||||||
| Currency | Peso | ||||||
| Internet TLD | .bpa | ||||||
Brazil, officially known as the United Kingdom of Brazil and Portuguese Africa, is a large empire situated in South America and Southern Africa, with territories in the East Indies. Since its creation in 1815 as a new home for the Portuguese monarchy, Brazil has become a superpower in regional and global affairs. It is the leader of the Coalition, and is one of the "Big Five" nations, with a seat in the Chambre des Superpuissants.
History[]
Portugal colonised Brazil in the 1500s.
In 1807, with the French on Lisbon's doorstep, the Portuguese royal court fled to Brazil. King Jao VI ruled from Rio de Janeiro, and allowed Brazil to trade with Britain, in the effort against Napoleon.
With the fall of Britain in 1813 and the ensuing defeat of Coalition forces in the Peninsula, Jao VI faced a strange position. No longer king of Portugal, he was determined to continue the fight against Napoleon, and on the 1st of January, 1814, he proclaimed the United Kingdom of Brazil and Portuguese Africa. Brazil continued fighting Napoleon in the American Campaign, and took part in the eventual peace settlement.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Brazil grew both economically and politically. Despite a few sporadic rebellions, the political stability which the monarchy brought meant that overseas companies were more likely to invest in Brazil than its main competing countries. The empire's increased economic power brought it into direct competition with the USA, but no direct conflict ever eventuated.
Brazil also became a major colonial power during this time. Having inherited Portugal's vast overseas empire, Brazil used it to its advantage. The colonies of Mozambique and Angola were merged in 1875 when the land separating the two was claimed.
Being the "fourth superpower", Brazil attracted the other anti-Napoleonic nations; Saint Helena, Iceland, Van Diemen's Land, the Dutch East Indies, Chile and Madagascar. This informal alliance was made official in 1840, with the signing of the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, which created the Coalition.
Slavery was abolished in the empire in 1887, with the passing of the Golden Law. The law, although initially unpopular with the wealthy landowners, increased the popularity of the Emperor and the government, while the Emperor maintained close ties with the high officials of the Brazil Army and Brazil Navy.
Brazil was reluctant to join either side in the Asia-Pacific War. However, after a Brazilian warship was sunk by the Sino-Japanese, Brazil joined France, and helped tip the balance.
Government[]
Brazil is a constitutional, parliamentary monarchy. The monarch is the head of state, and also, the de jure head of government. The emperor, whilst not holding much real power, does have some reserve powers; the ability to swear in governments, commission officers, present awards, dissolve the Assembly, and call elections.
The de facto head of government is the President of the Council of Ministers. The council is made up of all the members of the Assembly who have a portfolio.
The Assembly is the unicameral house of the Brazilian parliament. Three quarters of the members are elected, by universal suffrage. The other quarter is made up of nobles and members of the clergy of the recognized religions of the Empire.
Military and Foreign Affairs[]
Brazil's foreign policy centres on maintaining the Coalition alliance, and containing threats from the French, and Chinese blocs. Brazilian foreign policy makers since the Napoleonic Wars have made sure to cultivate relations with other nations that dislike Napoleonic France.
Brazil's military is the largest in the western hemisphere. The navy (known as the Armada) is capable of large blue water operations and has a significant presence on both sides of the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. The army is large and efficient, and has a decent presence in all the far-flung regions of the empire.