growing pressure. Influenced by Enlightenment ideas and independence movements elsewhere in the Americas, Brazilian elites sought greater autonomy. In 1822, Dom Pedro I declared Brazil’s independence from Portugal, establishing the Empire of Brazil. Unlike many Latin American nations, Brazil became a constitutional monarchy rather than a republic. This imperial period saw territorial consolidation and economic growth driven by coffee exports.
Slavery remained a central institution throughout much of the nineteenth century, shaping social hierarchies and economic systems. Abolitionist movements gradually gained strength, and in 1888 Brazil formally abolished slavery, becoming the last country in the Western Hemisphere to do so. The following year, the monarchy was overthrown, and Brazil became a republic. The early republican period was marked by political instability and regional power struggles.
In the twentieth century, Brazil underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization. Leaders such as Getúlio Vargas implemented policies aimed at centralizing power and promoting economic modernization. Vargas’s era introduced labor reforms and nationalistic cultural initiatives, shaping Brazil’s modern identity. Mid-century development accelerated under President Juscelino Kubitschek, who championed ambitious infrastructure projects, including the construction of Brasília as the new capital. Designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, Brasília symbolized modernist aspirations and national progress.
From 1964 to 1985, Brazil experienced military rule following a coup that overthrew the civilian government. While the regime oversaw periods of economic growth, it also suppressed political opposition and civil liberties. The return to democracy in 1985 marked a significant turning point. Since then, Brazil has worked to strengthen democratic institutions while addressing challenges such as economic inequality, environmental protection, and social justice. shutdown123