Pedro II
Pedro II, emperor of Brazil, had already decided his throne would end with him when he was unexpectedly overthrown. On 15 November 1889, he was unseated by a military coup, an inglorious end to an empire that had enjoyed new glory days under Pedro’s care. Brazil’s economy grew, the arts scene flourished and the emperor steered his country to victory in a string of international disputes. He also oversaw the abolition of slavery (in 1888) while his country became increasingly attractive to disgruntled Europeans who arrived there in waves, looking for a better life. However, forward-thinking Pedro remained traditional in one aspect and decided his sole heir, daughter Isabel, wouldn’t inherit his throne. When the military rose up and drove him into exile, Pedro put up little resistance. Within weeks, Brazil, once the heart of the Portuguese empire, had become a republic.