Dom Pedro also known as the King Pedro IV of Portugal became a great leader of Brazil. In 1807, Napoleon conquered Portugal and Pedro led his family on their journey to Brazil. Pedro gained the position of regent and held it for more than 20 years. Pedro was known and liked by his people. Pedro was an advocate for independence, and surrounded himself with like-minded people. The Portuguese Cortes wanted Brazil to remain in colonial status and demanded that Dom Pedro returns to Lisbon. Dom Pedro denied the Cortes’ demands, and publicly announced that he will remain in Brazil. This day became a Brazilian holiday, “Dia do Fico” which translates to “I shall remain”.
Many important people with political position agreed with Dom Pedro and his attitudes towards the Portuguese. Dom Pedro urgently issued a declaration of Independence for Brazil, effective on September 7th, 1822. Within three months, Dom Pedro then became the emperor of Brazil. This photo displays a town in Brazil on the day that Dom Pedro became emperor. As you can see, people fill the streets and are thrilled to have a new leader. Dom Pedro had been loyal to the Brazilian people thus far and they were under the impression that he would continue to have their best interest in mind. However, his first doing was clearing out Portuguese loyalists, maintaining his secret agenda. He made no changes economically or politically to benefit the Brazilian people in any manner. As Dom Pedro continued to neglect his people, they became very dissatisfied with him. Dom Pedro now had both the Brazilian and Portuguese against him. As tension continued to grow, Dom Pedro abdicated in favor of his young son Dom Pedro II on April 7th 1831, making him the second emperor of Brazil. Dom Pedro I returned to Portugal and immediately restored his daughter Maria II throne which had been captured by his brother Miguel. In 1834, Dom Pedro died of a ravaging tuberculosis infection.