Pedro II, << PAY droh or PAY throo >> (1825-1891), was emperor of Brazil from 1831 to 1889. During his rule, Brazil experienced modernization and economic progress, as well as the abolition of slavery.
Pedro was born on Dec. 2, 1825, in Rio de Janeiro. His grandfather was King John VI of Portugal, and his father, Pedro I, became the first emperor of independent Brazil in 1822. Before then, Brazil had been a colony of Portugal.
In 1831, Pedro I gave up the throne, and Pedro II became emperor. Elected officials headed the government until 1840, when Pedro was declared old enough to rule on his own. Pedro gained respect as a moderate and humane ruler. Under him, Brazil helped overthrow Argentine dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas in 1852. In 1867, Pedro’s government opened the Amazon River to world commerce. Between 1871 and 1888, his government passed a series of acts abolishing slavery in Brazil. This action cost Pedro the support of Brazil’s great landowners. In 1889, the army forced Pedro to give up the throne and formed a republic. Pedro died on Dec. 5, 1891.
