Diary of a Brazilian Revolution Leader

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November 15, 1889

Dear Diary,

The Revolution has finally happened. After all of my hard work and protests, we, as a country have become a republic. I started hearing complaints from my fellow citizens soon after Pedro II came to power after his father, Pedro I, who had declared Brazil’s independence from Portugal. There were various events led them to believe so passionately that it was indeed time for a revolution. I felt that these people needed a leader. Some one who could step up, supports, and gets their ideas and frustrations known. After a long while of pondering, I decided that I too was very unhappy with the way my country was being ran and the poor decisions that effected us as people were negatively effecting us. Upon this thought, I became the Rebel Leader.

Most importantly, when Pedro II came to power, he made countless unacceptable mistakes. Some of these were, his participation in a controversial war, his attacks against slavery, and his choice to get rid of the legislator. In my mind, the absolute worst was his attacks against slavery. I, being the rich slave owner that I am, naturally hated him for this. Who will I pay to work my plantation fields? This new law that freed over 700,000 slaves was know as the “Golden Law.” I don’t see any part of this law to be “golden.” It’s more like a “Black Law.” This is a more fair representation of the regulation because it shows the depression, despair, and difficulty my class of people will have once it is put into place because we wont have any slaves working for our benefit. In addition, Pedro II strongly opposed a papal edict to forbid Catholics from joining Masonic lodges.This decision was not a good one on his part. I strappingly believe, along with my fellow people, that being Masonic and Catholic does not mix what so ever. No Catholic should have the right to be a freemason. I am very much against that. So with these faults by our governing body (Pedro II) in mind, we rebelled.

Moreover, toward the middle of Pedro II rule, he made yet another mistake. He butted in on Uruguay, which was none of out business. This was the utmost last string for the rebels that I gave a voice to and I. Here in 1864, Pedro decided to enforce a pro-Brazilian government on the Uruguayans. This interference unleashed a gory clash that became known as the War of the Triple Alliance. Soon then after, Pedro realized his mistake and attempted to cover it up with blaming Paraguay for provoking the war. But the rebels and I saw right through Pedro’s sad excuse for an attempt at saving his own butt. Opposing to the statement made by Pedro II, Paraguay claimed that it had nothing of the sort in mind and when they used their newly well-built military to expand, they were only doing so to offset the colossal power of Brazil and Argentina. We had no business imposing our own government onto Uruguay. Pedro doing so really lit the flames under the ready-to-burn match that we as the rebels created. From here on out, it was revolution, revolution, and more revolution screaming out from all the people I was in control of.

Finally, on this glorious day of today, Pedro II was taken down. Today, November 15, 1889, will forevermore be a turning point in history that the rebels and I made happen. During the beginning of this year, the prime minister proposed to Pedro many broadminded reforms, together with complete religious freedom, and attempts at limiting the power of the army. Yesterday, another leader like myself named Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca led a military rebellion and the following day (today) declared a republic. He also insisted that Pedro leave the country. The emperor and his family are set to leave tomorrow and will stay in exile in Paris for the rest of his life. I truly cannot believe that we actually accomplished our goal. I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a long and treacherous journey and had hope of achieving our task of overthrowing Pedro II, but I never was absolutely convinced that we would do it. I have so many feelings I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m just glad that Brazil I s getting is long awaited reward of a republic.

All in all, today was everything we expected it to be and more. I feel very proud that I lead the greater amount of rebels to a glorious victory over the corrupt government. I do not have words to express how I felt after I saw all the unhappy rebels that have been through the good and the bad with me celebrate with gleaming faces after the revolution had happened and the republic was declared. A lot was accomplished here today and it is all because of the hard work and effort the rebels that I stood for gave to make this happen. I really couldn’t have done it with out them. Pedro II got what was coming to him and my lovely Brazil finally got what she as a country deserved, a republic.

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