Who they were
Son of the Portuguese king, Pedro remained in Brazil as regent when the royal court returned to Lisbon. In 1822 he defied orders to return and proclaimed independence, then was crowned emperor.
What they did
He granted Brazil its first constitution in 1824 but clashed with parliament and provincial revolts. In 1831 he abdicated the Brazilian throne in favor of his young son and returned to Europe.
Legacy
Pedro I secured Brazil’s independence and its unity as a single monarchy. He later fought to restore his daughter’s throne in Portugal before his early death in 1834.