Brazil under the Republic.

Though the overthrow of the imperial dynasty was totally unexpected
throughout, the new regime was accepted without any disturbances. Under
the leadership of General Deodoro da Fonseca a praetorian system of
government, in which the military element was all-powerful, came into
existence, and continued till February 1891, when a national congress
assembled and formulated the constitution for the United States of
Brazil. The former provinces were converted into states, the only right
of the federal government to interfere in their administration being for
the purposes of national defence, the maintenance of public order or the
enforcement of the federal laws. The constitution of the United States
of America was taken as a model for drawing up that of Brazil, and the
general terms were as far as possible adhered to (see above, section
_Government_).

General da Fonseca and General Floriano Peixoto were elected to fill the
offices of president and vice-president until the 15th of November 1894.
This implied the continuance of praetorian methods of administration.
The older class of more conservative Brazilians, who had formerly taken
part in the administration under the emperor, withdrew altogether from
public life. Many left Brazil and went into voluntary exile, while
others retired to their estates. In the absence of these more
respectable elements, the government fell into the hands of a gang of
military adventurers and unscrupulous politicians, whose only object was
to exploit the national resources for their own benefit. As a
consequence, deep-rooted discontent rapidly arose. A conspiracy, of
which Admiral Wandenkolk was the prime instigator, was discovered, and
those who had taken part in it were banished to the distant state of
Amazonas. Disturbances then broke out in Rio Grande do Sul, in
consequence of disputes between the official party and the people living
in the country districts. Under the leadership of Gumercindo Saraiva the
country people broke into open revolt in September 1891. This outbreak
was partially suppressed, but afterwards it again burst into flame with
great vigour. In view of the discontent, conspiracies and revolutionary
movements, President da Fonseca declared himself dictator. This act,
however, met with such strong opposition that he resigned office on the
23rd of November 1891, and Vice-President Floriano Peixoto assumed the
presidency.

Floriano Peixoto had