Brazilian nativist radicals had falsely accused the…

Brazilian nativist radicals had falsely accused the Emperor Pedro, after the death of his father Dom João in 1826, of plotting to overthrow the constitution and to proclaim himself the ruler of a reunited Brazil and Portugal, despite Pedro's renunciation of his right to the Portuguese throne in favor of his daughter, Queen Maria II.

They had raised tensions by provoking street violence against the Portuguese of Rio de Janeiro and agitating for a federalist monarchy that would give the provinces self-government and administrative autonomy.

Brazil's fate is in the hands of a few people concentrated in the capital who spread false stories and undermine discipline in the army and police.

When Pedro dismisses his cabinet in April 1831, street and military demonstrators demand its reinstatement in violation of his constitutional prerogatives.

He refuses, saying: "I will do anything for the people but nothing [forced] by the people."

With military units assembled on the Campo de Sant'Anna, an assembly ground in Rio de Janeiro, and people in the streets shouting "death to the tyrant", he backs down.

Failing to form a new cabinet, he abdicates in favor of his five-year-old son Pedro (who thus becomes Emperor Pedro II of Brazil, under a regency), and leaves Brazil as he had arrived—on a British warship.

Pedro II will reign for almost fifty-nine years.