WHO GOVERNED THE PROVINCES? THE APPOINTMENT PRACTICES AND THE PROFILE OF PROVINCIAL PRESIDENTS IN THE EMPIRE OF BRAZIL (RIO GRANDE DO SUL, 1845-1889)

This article examines the political dynamics underlying appointments to the position of provincial president in the Empire of Brazil, with a focus on the province of São Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul between 1845 and 1889. Based on the idea that provincial presidents played a central role in mediating between the central government and regional elites, it explores who these individuals were and how their personal trajectories shaped their political and administrative actions. The findings indicate that although geographic origin and tenure length were relevant, they alone fail to explain the role of provincial presidents. Many of them already had ties to local elites, often established in elite social circles such as the law academies. By incorporating historical actors and their personal networks into the institutional analysis, this article offers a more nuanced understanding of the Brazilian imperial state. It highlights both regional asymmetries and the continued influence of Ancien Régime practices in shaping imperial governance.

Keywords:
provincial presidents; Second Reign; appointment practices