ABSTRACT
T he leaders of the 1889 coup had seized political power in Rio de Janeiro by the use of military violence. They proceeded quickly to assert their authority by constituting themselves as a temporary or 'provisional' government and decreeing the establishment of a federal republic. A series of executive proclamations were issued which sought not only to inform the people about what had happened but also to justify and legitimize the new regime. Despite the authoritarian procedure, a desire for popular approval and legitimacy existed and was demonstrated by the prominence given to the claim that the armed services had carried out the coup on behalf of 'the people' throughout the whole of the country. The pronunciamento on November 15, 1889 unilaterally stated that 'the people, the army, and the navy' had overthrown the monarchy and displaced it with a provisional government 'whose principal mission is to guaranty by public order the liberty and rights of citizens.' 1 The proclamation was signed by the leader of the coup, Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca. Although Deodoro had effectively replaced the Emperor Dom Pedro as head of state, he preferred to style himself modestly as 'chief of the provisional government.' Other signatories publicly declaring their support for Deodoro included Rui Barbosa, Qyintino Bocaiuva, and Benjamin Constant. All three were duly rewarded with important positions in the new government. Rui became finance minister, Qyintino headed the ministry offoreign relations, while Constant was appointed as war minister.
