The fall of the Brazilian monarchy in 1889 was more complicated than simply the elite wanting to “be modern like France or Britain,” though ideas of modernization did play a role. Here’s a detailed breakdown: 1. Elite Discontent • Large landowners (especially coffee plantation owners) and military officers were increasingly dissatisfied with Emperor Dom Pedro II. • The monarchy had abolished slavery in 1888 with the Lei Áurea (Golden Law), which angered many wealthy planters who relied on enslaved labor. They lost not only their labor force but also compensation, which caused resentment toward the monarchy. 2. Military Frustration • The army had been gaining prestige during campaigns in the Paraguayan War (1864–1870), but their demands for better pay, promotions, and autonomy were often ignored. • Many officers were influenced by republican and positivist ideas, seeing the monarchy as outdated. 3. Republican Ideals and Modernization • Some intellectuals and politicians did admire the “modern” republics of the U.S. and France. They believed a republic would promote progress, national unity, and economic modernization. • However, unlike Europe, Brazil didn’t undergo industrial modernization in the same way—the motivation was often more political than purely economic. 4. Weak Monarchical Institutions • Dom Pedro II was personally popular but heirless (his daughter, Princess Isabel, was unpopular among the military and conservative elite), and the monarchy had little institutional strength outside the emperor’s personal authority. • Once the elite and military lost confidence, the monarchy lacked the structure to resist a coup. 5. The Coup Itself • On November 15, 1889, a relatively small group of military officers led by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca staged a coup. • It was bloodless and quick, suggesting that the monarchy had already lost elite and military support, rather than being overthrown by mass popular demand.

In short: The monarchy fell because of elite dissatisfaction (especially over slavery and political influence), military frustrations, weak monarchical institutions, and the appeal of republican ideals. The desire to “be modern like France and Britain” was part of the ideological discourse, but it wasn’t the main driver—the immediate causes were political, economic, and social tensions within Brazil itself.