With a bloodless coup on November 15, 1889, the Empire was replaced by the Republican regime. The first president of the republic was Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca, who carried out the coup. In 1891, the first Republican constitution was prepared, taking the American Constitution as a model.
(1827-1892) Brazilian soldier. He presided over the interim government established after the overthrow of the Empire in Brazil. He was born in Alagoas on August 3, 1827, and died in Petropolis on August 22, 1892.
He was educated at a military school in Rio de Janeiro between 1843 and 1847. He served in various regions of the Brazilian Empire. After 1864, with his successes in the wars against Uruguay and Paraguay, he gained great respect within the Brazilian army and was promoted to marshal.
Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca (5 August 1827 – 23 August 1892) was a Brazilian politician and military officer who served as the first president of Brazil. He was born in Alagoas in a military family, followed a military career, and became a national figure. Fonseca took office as provisional president after heading a military coup that deposed Emperor Pedro II and established the First Brazilian Republic in 1889, disestablishing the Empire. After his election in 1891, he stepped down the same year under great political pressure when he dissolved the National Congress. He died less than a year later.
During the years when Deodoro da Fonseca was gaining power within the army, liberal groups in Mexico led by Juarez put an end to the Imperial rule that temporarily dominated their country. As in the whole continent, political groups influenced by the US Constitution were gaining strength in Brazil. Deodoro da Fonseca, relying on the effectiveness of the army on the people and the support of young Republican officers within the army, preferred to establish relations with the Liberals, despite all the expectations of conservative circles.
In 1889, he was appointed to the interior regions by Emperor Pedro II. However, as the emperor's power over liberal groups diminished, he was recalled to the capital, Rio de Janeiro.
Following the uprising launched by Marshal Floriano Peixoto, the strong leader of the Liberals, on November 15, 1889, Emperor Pedro II abdicated his throne and left Brazil. An interim government was established. Deodoro da Fonseca, whose health deteriorated during the development of the events, was appointed head of government, considering his influence on the army and the people.
Marshal Peixoto took the post of vice president. The Brazilian Constitution, drafted in 1891, was a very close analog of the US Constitution. According to this constitution, state and religious affairs were separated. Deodoro da Fonseca, who established himself as the most authoritative person with the decisions of the congress convened by the provisional government on November 3, 1891, could not form an effective force due to his deterioration in health. It was ineffective in the face of internal turmoil caused by disagreements between liberal groups and the increasing economic crisis. His effectiveness within the army and his influence on the people had also decreased considerably. The heart attack he had at the beginning of 1892 caused the vice president, Marshal Peixoto, to take over the administration. After the rebellion launched by groups affiliated with him was suppressed, he lost all his power over the administration.