Dom Pedro II de Alcântara was quite possibly the most
influential leader in Brazilian history. Through his long reign
as emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II made numerous contributions
to the country. He was born in 1825 and became emperor at the
age of five in 1831 when his father abdicated and left for
Europe. Civil War broke out and mutinies and rebellions sprung
out in all parts of Brazil, trying to determine who would be the
next leader. His father died when he was nine and he was
declared of age in 1840. He led a government far more functional
and different than Dom Pedro I.  Unlike his father, Pedro II was
highly educated. He was religious, knew fourteen languages
fluently, and throughout his life, learned to honor the laborer.
He actually led what seemed like a functional government system
by exercised power discreetly, allowing his rule to continue
from 1831-1891.  If there was one thing that Pedro II and his
father agreed on, it was the importance of slavery for Brazil's
economy. Both leaders set aside