Deodoro da Fonseca Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Generalissimo Deodoro da Fonseca
Marshal Fonseca in 1889

President of Brazil
In office 15 November 1889 – 23 November 1891
Vice President	None (1889–1891) Floriano Peixoto (Feb–Nov 1891)
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Floriano Peixoto
President of the Rio Grande do Sul Province
In office 8 May 1886 – 9 November 1886
Preceded by	Baron of Lucena
Succeeded by	Miguel Calmon du Pin

Personal details
Born	(1827-08-05)5 August 1827 Alagoas da Lagoa do Sul, Alagoas, Empire of Brazil
Died	23 August 1892(1892-08-23) (aged 65) Rio de Janeiro, Federal District, Brazil
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Mariana Cecília de Sousa Meireles (m. 1860)
Relations	Hermes da Fonseca (nephew)
Parents	Manuel Mendes da Fonseca Galvão (father) Rosa Maria Paulina de Barros Cavalcanti (mother)
Alma mater	Praia Vermelha Military School
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Empire of Brazil United States of Brazil
Branch/service	Brazilian Army Brazilian Navy
Years of service	1843–1892
Rank	Generalíssimo (Army) Almirantíssimo (Navy)
Commands	1st Foot Artillery Battalion 24th Volunteer Corps of the Fatherland 1st Mounted Artillery Regiment Commander of Arms of Bahia Commander of Arms of Rio Grande do Sul Army Quartermaster Commander of Arms of Mato Grosso
Battles/wars	Great Siege of Montevideo Praieira Revolt Paraguayan War Battle of Estero Bellaco Battle of Tuyutí Battle of Potrero Obella Battle of Taji Siege of Humaitá Battle of Angostura Battle of Piribebuy Brazilian Naval Revolt
Awards	Order of the Southern Cross

Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca (born August 5, 1827 – died August 23, 1892) was a Brazilian military officer and politician. He became the very first president of Brazil. Fonseca took office as a temporary president after leading a military takeover. This event removed Emperor Pedro II from power and created the First Brazilian Republic in 1889. He was elected president in 1891 but resigned later that year due to strong political pressure. He passed away less than a year later.

Early Life and Military Career
Path to Presidency
Presidency and Resignation
Death
Gallery
See also

Early Life and Military Career

Fonseca was born on August 5, 1827, in a town called Alagoas da Lagoa do Sul. This town is now named Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas in his honor. He came from a large family with many members in the military. His father was Manuel Mendes da Fonseca Galvão, and his mother was Rosa Maria Paulina de Barros Cavalcanti.

Fonseca chose a military career, just like his family. He helped stop the Praieira revolt in Pernambuco in 1848. This was Brazil's response to the revolutions happening in Europe at that time. He also fought in the Paraguayan War (1864–1870), where he became a captain. By 1884, he was promoted to field marshal, and later to full marshal. People admired him for his bravery and military skills. He became a well-known figure across Brazil.

Path to Presidency

Fonseca served as the Governor of Rio Grande do Sul. During this time, he met important thinkers who supported a republic, like Benjamin Constant. In 1886, Fonseca learned that the government planned to arrest leading republicans. He then went to Rio de Janeiro and took charge of the army group that wanted to end slavery in Brazil.

Emperor Pedro II had wanted to end slavery for many years. He freed his own enslaved people in 1840. However, he believed slavery should end slowly to avoid harming Brazil's economy. In 1888, his daughter, Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, who was ruling while her father was away, completely abolished slavery. This decision made some powerful landowners very angry.

Fonseca's high standing led him to lead the military takeover that removed the emperor on November 15, 1889. He briefly headed a temporary government. This government then called a meeting to write a new constitution for a republic. Soon, Fonseca began to disagree with the civilian leaders who also supported the republic. He was elected president on February 25, 1891, by a small number of votes. The military's support helped him win this election.

Presidency and Resignation

Fonseca's time as president was difficult. He and his Vice President, Floriano Peixoto, did not get along. The Brazilian Congress strongly opposed Fonseca's actions. At first, he let his ministers control their departments almost completely. However, he started making decisions on his own. For example, he gave a private company control of the port of Torres, Rio Grande do Sul. He also issued a decree that allowed more immigration to Brazil, but not from Africa.

His economic policies were also not successful. There was an economic bubble called the Encilhamento, which caused problems. These issues made Congress resist him more and made the public unhappy. Even republicans in the South stopped supporting him. The situation became very serious when Fonseca closed the National Congress on November 3, 1891. He also declared a "state of emergency."

A group of lawmakers disagreed with his decision. They found support among high-ranking Navy officers, including Admiral Custódio José de Melo. Fonseca realized he was close to a civil war. On November 23, 1891, he signed a resignation letter and gave the presidency to Peixoto.

Death

Deodoro da Fonseca passed away in Rio de Janeiro on August 23, 1892. He suffered from severe breathing problems. He was first buried in a family grave at the Caju Cemetery. However, in 1937, his remains were moved to a special monument in Praça Paris, Rio de Janeiro.