A Kingdom in Brazil

“Independence or Death!” declared the dashing young Portuguese prince Pedro I on September 7, 1822 (pictured above, with Pedro I on white horse).

- Judy Bieber

His assertion marked the beginning of Brazil’s transition from Portuguese colony to an independent constitutional monarchy. But why did Brazil choose such a different path, when new political ideas, such as democracy and republicanism were taking hold in neighboring lands? For many Brazilians, the answer lay in their fear of the upheaval and violence that might come with a revolution. They knew well the turmoil that, in recent decades, had flared in the 13 colonies in North America and in many of their neighboring Spanish colonies. Further, many people in Brazil remained loyal to the Portuguese royal family, which had resided in Rio de Janeiro since 1808.

The Positives—and Negatives