Peixoto, Floriano, 1842-95, Brazilian marshal and statesman, president of Brazil (1891-94). He took part in the establishment of the republic and was chosen vice president under Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca. When the president resigned in the face of a revolution, Peixoto succeeded to the presidency (Nov., 1891). He ruled dictatorially amid widespread dissension, putting down a naval revolt in 1893 and maintaining himself in power until the election of 1894, when he was defeated. In spite of his unpopularity, the "Iron Marshal" by his firmness consolidated the new republican government.

Floriano Vieira Peixoto (April 30, 1839, Maceió, Brazil — July 29, 1895, Rio de Janeiro), pron. , born in Ipioca (today a district of the city of Maceió in the State of Alagoas), was a Brazilian soldier and politician, a veteran of the War of the Triple Alliance, and the second President of Brazil.

Election and Succession as President

Floriano Peixoto was an Army Marshal when elected vice-president in 1891 and later rose to the Presidency following the resignation of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca in November 1891, first President of Brazil following the end of the Monarchy in 1889. Floriano Peixoto came to the Presidency in a difficult period of the young First Republic and his ascendancy to the Presidency was deemed unconstitutional since the Article 42 of the Constitution indicated that, in the case of resignation of the incumbent, the Vice-President could only assume the Presidency if half of the President's mandate was completed.

Government

Floriano Peixoto defeated a naval officers' rebellion against him (1893-1894) and a seditious military movement in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and in the State of Santa Catarina. His government was marked by increased centralization of power and nationalism.

Legacy

He is often referred to as "the Consolidator of the Republic" or "The Iron Marshal". He left the Presidency in November 15, 1894 but despite his unpopularity, the "Iron Marshal" was responsible for the consolidation of the new Republican Government.