Wikipedia:Today's featured article/September 7, 2012



Pedro I (1798–1834) was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he reigned over Portugal. Acting as regent on his father's behalf, he declared the independence of Brazil from Portugal on 7 September 1822. His acclamation as Brazilian emperor was followed by a victorious war against Portuguese armies. From the onset his reign was troubled by a long ideological conflict between him and a sizable parliamentary faction over the role of the monarch in the government. Other obstacles arose concurrently. In 1826 he briefly became king of Portugal before abdicating in favor of his eldest daughter, Dona Maria II. Her crown was later usurped by Prince Dom Miguel, Pedro I's younger brother. At the same time the unsuccessful Cisplatine War against the neighboring United Provinces of South America led to the secession of a Brazilian province (later to become Uruguay). Unable to deal with both Brazilian and Portuguese affairs, Pedro I abdicated on 7 April 1831 and immediately departed for Europe to restore his daughter to her throne. He invaded Portugal ahead of an army and defeated his brother, dying soon after of tuberculosis at age 35. (more...)

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