Figure 1.--This 1845 Winterhalter portrait shows Gaston d'Eu, the eldest son of Prince Louis and grandson of Louis Philippe. Gaston wears a burgandy dress with lace collar, ruffled trim, and pantalettes. Note the large, plumed hat at his side.

Louis' oldest son was Louis Philippe Marie Ferdinand Gaston d'Orléans was born in 1842. He was given the title count of Eu. Winterhalter in 1845 pain Gaston, giving us an idea as to how the boys were dressed. The portrait shows Gaston with a short hair cut and what looks like an open necked, narrow-waisted burgandy velvet dress with lace collar and ruffled cuffs. He appears to have white stockings, frilled pantalettes, and pantent leather shoes. What appears to be a large white, plumed hat is at his side. He would have been about 3-4 years old at the time. The two boys were quite close in age and were probably dressed similarly. Gaston married Isabella, eldest daughter of Don Pedro II of Brazil (1864). Brazil unlike the other Latin American countries did not become a republic after independence. Rather the son of the Portuguese king declared independence and established a Brazilian empire. Isabella was the Princess imperial and heress to the throne. Gaston played a controversial role in the War of the Triple Alliance. The Brazilian monarchy was overthrown (1889). The Emperor and his family went into exile in Europe. Ironically, Gaston's great-grandson--Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza is the current presumptive heir to the throne of Portugal.

Parents

Gaston's parents were Louis the Duke of Nemors, the eldest son of King Louis Phillipe. His mother was Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha at saint-cloud (1840). She was a relative of Brirain's Prince Albert and Belgium's King Leopold I. Adolphe Thiers in the Chamber of Deputies proposed a marriage dowry to the couple. The Chamber refused which was seen as a rebuke to Louis-Philippe's government.

Childhood

Louis Philippe Marie Ferdinand Gaston d'Orléans was born in 1842. He was given the title count of Eu. Winterhalter in 1845 painted Gaston, giving us an idea as to how the boys were dressed. The portrait shows Gaston with a short hair cut and what looks like an open necked, narrow-waisted burgandy velvet dress with lace collar and ruffled cuffs. He appears to have white stockings, frilled pantalettes, and pantent leather shoes. What appears to be a large white, plumed hat is at his side. He would have been about 3-4 years old at the time. The two boys were quite close in age and were probably dressed similarly.

Marriage

Gaston married Isabella, eldest daughter of Don Pedro II of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, at the time the capital of the country (1864). Isabella was the Princess imperial and heress to the throne. Only 2 months after the marriage, war erupted with Paraguay.

Brazilian Monarchy

Brazil unlike the other Latin American countries did not become a republic after independence. Rather the son of the Portuguese king declared independence and established a Brazilian empire. Brazil became independent somewhat later than neighboring countries and had one of the few Latin American monarchies. Portugal for a time was Britain's only ally on the continent. This made the country a target for the French. The British landed a small army comanded by Wellington, but it was not large enough to resist a French inbvasion forcehand had to be withdrawn. The French moved on Lisbon. The Prince Regent departed seeking refuge in Brazil (1807). Dom Joao established Rio de Jneinro as the temporary capital of the Portuguese Empire. Napoleon's defeat in Russia (1812) fatally weakened France and the French had to withdraw from Iberia (1814). Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo (1815). Dom Joao did not return to POrtugal, however, until several years later (1821). Dom Joao left his son Dom Pedro in charge of Brazil when he returned to Portugal (1821). Dom Joao attempted to resume the traditional system of colonial rule. Dom Pedro decided to declare Brazuil's independence from Portugal and his independence from his father (1822). Brazil's economy changed significantly in the 19th century as coffee became an increasingly important crop. There was considerable Europeam immigratiin in the 19th century, especially from Italy.

War of the Tripple Alliance (1864-70)

The War of the Triple Alliance, also called the Paraguyan War, was the bloodiest conflict in Latin-American history. It was a war fought by Paraguay against an alliance of neighboring states (Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay). Only Bolivia among the countries bordering Paraguay did not enter the War. The countries between Argentina and Brazil (Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay) struggled in the 19th century to retain their independence and territory against their more powerful neigbors. Arggentiba during the War for Independence attempted unsuccessfully to include what becamme Paraguay and Uruguay in their new nation. Even after independence, a range of issues, especially boundaries were left unresolved. Argentina and Brazil claimed territory that Paraguay also claimed. Uruguay was also a bone of contention. Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro II intervened in Uruguayan politics and assisted the leader of Uruguay's Colorado Party to overthrow the Blanco Party (1864). Paraguayan Dictator, Francisco Solano López, saw this as a prelude toward Brazilian interference in his country. He declared war on Brazil (1864). López had conducted a massive buildup of a 50,000-man army. It was the largest army in South America. Bartolomé Mitre, president of Argentina, concerned about Paraguay's military buildup, saw this as an opportunity to obtain long-saught territoiry, organized an alliance with Brazil and Colorado-controlled Uruguay (the Triple Alliance). They declared war on Paraguay (May 1, 1865). Many Latin Americans when the War began saw Paraguay as the agressor and a threatening nation. As the War went on and went against Paraguay, sentiment shofted and began to be seen as Mitre's war of conquest, even in Argentina.

Gaston's Role in the War

Gaston played a controversial role in the War of the Triple Alliance. Paraguay's dictator, Francisco Solano López, invaded Brazil only 2 mounts after Isabella's and Gaston's marriage. The Count d'Eu perhaps because of his father's military achievements wanted a military command in the War. Dom Pedro was reluctant to give Gaston a command. He was still a very young man with no military experience. Only when the War was for all practical purposes over did he relent and give him a command. The Emperor appointed the Count commander-in-chief of the Brazilian forces (1869). He became the supreme commander of the allied Brazilian, Argentinian and Uruguayan armies in Paraguay. By the time, however, the allies had ceased active military operations. The Uruguayan army had withdrawn. Argentinian military commanders had stopped offensive operations against a cklearly defeated country. The Count was, however, eager to demonstrate his military skills and improve his standing with his father-in-law, the Emperor. Ggeneral Caixas was reluctant. Brazil was able to surplus Civilm war arms from the United States. The Count thus oversaw a major military offensive. Some historians classify what occurred as genoside. [Leuchars]

Slavery

Unlike the other independent Latin countries which abolished slavery, the institution continued in Brazil. Isabel as Princess Imperial and Regent abolished slavery in Brazil.

Overthrow of the Monarcy

The Brazilian monarchy was overthrown (1889). The republican government exiled the Emperor and his family from returning (1889)

Exile

The Emperor and his family went into exile in Europe. Ironically, Gaston's great-grandson--Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza is the current presumptive heir to the throne of Portugal.

Children

Isabel and Gaston's children and their descendents use the name Orléans-Braganza, reflecting the two royalm families they united. They are claimants to both the Brazilian and Portuguese thrones. The dynastic Head of the Imperial House of Brazil is Prince Luiz of Orleans-Braganza, who is Gaston's great-grandson. Another great-grandsons, Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza is the current presumptive heir to the Portuguese throne.

Attempted Return

Brazil staged an important commenoration of its indepencene on the centenial (1922). The Government t rescinded the exile law barring the Emperor's family from returning to Brazil. Isabel had died just before this action. The Count d'Eu embarked on a ship to Brazil, but died at sea..

Sources

Leuchars, Chris. "To the bitter end: Paraguay and the War of the Triple Alliance," (Westport, Connecticut, 2002), p. 215-218.

Created: May 24, 2001
Last updated: 5:12 PM 7/24/2008