Isabel

Isabel, 1846–1921, princess imperial of Brazil; eldest daughter of Pedro II. She acted as regent in her father's absence. Her marriage to the comte d'Eu added to her own unpopularity and probably contributed to the growing republican sentiment of her time. Along with her father, she is remembered for her espousal of the cause of emancipation. On May 13, 1888, she signed the law abolishing slavery, which alienated the large landholders and precipitated the downfall of the empire. When Pedro II was deposed and exiled (1889), Isabel followed him to Paris with her family and spent the remainder of her life there.

Bibliography

See C. H. Haring, Empire in Brazil (1958).

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Isabella II

 Spanish Isabel

(born Oct. 10, 1830, Madrid, Spain—died April 9, 1904, Paris, France) Queen of Spain (1833–68). She was the daughter of Ferdinand VII, and the issue of her succession to the throne precipitated the First Carlist War (see Carlism). During her minority (1833–43), her mother and Baldomero Espartero acted as regents; in 1843 Espartero was deposed by military officers, and Isabella was declared of age. Liberal opposition to the regime's authoritarianism, scandalous reports about her private life, and her arbitrary political interference led to the Revolution of 1868, which drove her into exile. She abdicated in favour of her son, Alfonso XII.