Maria II of Portugal

Maria II was queen of Portugal from 1826 to 1828 and 1834 to 1853. Her restoration after the Liberal Wars secured the constitutional monarchy against absolutist rule.

Portuguese War of Succession: The 1828–1834 conflict between constitutional liberals and absolutists over Portugal’s throne and political order. The war began after Maria’s uncle Miguel seized the throne and ended with her restoration.
Portuguese Constitution of 1838: A liberal Portuguese constitution adopted after the September Revolution of 1836 and in force until 1842. Maria accepted this constitution after political revolt challenged the charter of 1826.
Auguste de Beauharnais, 2nd Duke of Leuchtenberg: A Bavarian nobleman who married Maria II in 1835 and briefly served as Portugal’s prince consort. Auguste was Maria’s first husband, dying months after their marriage.
House of Braganza: A Portuguese royal dynasty that ruled Portugal and Brazil at different times from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Maria’s branch of the dynasty continued through her children and the Portuguese throne.
Pedro I of Brazil: Emperor of Brazil and former king of Portugal who abdicated the Portuguese throne in favor of his daughter Maria II. Pedro’s abdication established Maria’s claim and drew him into the struggle to restore her.
September Revolution: The 1836 Portuguese uprising that restored the Constitution of 1822 and brought liberal politicians back to power. The uprising forced Maria to yield to a more democratic constitutional settlement.
Ferdinand II of Portugal: King consort of Portugal through his marriage to Maria II and regent for their son Pedro V. Ferdinand became Maria’s second husband and shared the raising of their royal heirs.
House of Braganza-Saxe-Coburg and Gotha: The nineteenth-century Portuguese royal house formed through Maria II’s marriage to Ferdinand II. Their marriage established the dynastic line that ruled Portugal after Maria.
Miguel I of Portugal: King of Portugal from 1828 to 1834, whose absolutist rule opposed the constitutional settlement backing Maria II. Miguel’s rival claim and government displaced Maria during the first years of her reign.
Maria da Fonte Revolt: A popular revolt in northern Portugal in 1846 against government policies and administrative reforms. The revolt exposed the instability that persisted under Maria’s restored constitutional monarchy.

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