This biography of Dom Pedro's reign tells how he met the problems arising from relations with the neighboring South American states, the premature political system of his own country, the struggle between church and state, the abolition of slavery, and the fostering of education.

Founding the Brazilian empire; bending the twig; the Regency and the boy Emperor; Dom Pedro's Brazil in the 1840s; the Emperor's family life and general routine; 25 years of foreign troubles; Dom Pedro's struggle with a premature political system; a visit to the old world; the Emperor's religious views and church policy; touring the United States of America; Dom Pedro as teacher of the Brazilian nation; promotion of internal progress; among the intellectuals; slavery and abolition; increasing discontent toward the monarchy; the menace of militarism; the revolution; banishment of the Imperial family; Dom Pedro in exile; appendices.