Editing Pedro II of Brazil (section)

=== Total victory and its heavy costs ===
[[File:Pedro II Admiral Brazil 1870.jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=Photograph of a bearded man seated casually with crossed legs and wearing a military tunic with fringed epaulettes|Dressed in an admiral's uniform at age 44, 1870—the war years had prematurely aged the Emperor{{sfn|Carvalho|2007|p=124}}{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=247}}]]
Against all expectations, the war continued for five years. During this period, Pedro&nbsp;II's time and energy were devoted to the war effort.{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=193}}{{sfn|Carvalho|2007|p=110}} He tirelessly worked to raise and equip troops to reinforce the front lines and to push forward the fitting of new warships for the navy.{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=202}} The rape of women, widespread violence against civilians, ransacking and destruction of properties that had occurred during Paraguay's invasion of Brazilian territory had made a deep impression on him.{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=206}} He warned the Countess of Barral in November 1866 that "the war should be concluded as honor demands, cost what it cost."{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=230}} "Difficulties, setbacks, and [[war-weariness]] had no effect on his quiet resolve", said Barman. Mounting casualties did not distract him from advancing what he saw as Brazil's righteous cause, and he stood prepared to personally sacrifice his own throne to gain an honorable outcome.{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=230}} Writing in his journal a few years previously Pedro&nbsp;II remarked: "What sort of fear could I have? That they take the government from me? Many better kings than I have lost it, and to me it is no more than the weight of a cross which it is my duty to carry."{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=169}}

At the same time, Pedro&nbsp;II worked to prevent quarrels between the national political parties from impairing the military response.{{sfn|Barman|1999|pp=219–224}}{{sfn|Carvalho|2007|pp=116–118}} The Emperor prevailed over a [[1868 Brazilian political crisis|serious political crisis in July 1868]] resulting from a quarrel between the cabinet and [[Luís Alves de Lima e Silva]] (then-Marques and later Duke of Caxias), the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian forces in Paraguay. Caxias was also a politician and was a member of the opposing party to the ministry. The Emperor sided with him, leading to the cabinet's resignation. As Pedro&nbsp;II maneuvered to bring about a victorious outcome in the conflict with Paraguay, he threw his support behind the political parties and factions that seemed to be most useful in the effort. The reputation of the monarchy was harmed and its trusted position as an impartial mediator was severely impacted in the long term. He was unconcerned for his personal position, and regardless of the impact upon the imperial system, he determined to put the national interest ahead of any potential harm caused by such expediencies.{{sfn|Barman|1999|pp=224–225}}

His refusal to accept anything short of total victory was pivotal in the outcome.{{sfn|Barman|1999|p=206}}{{sfn|Carvalho|2007|p=114–115}} His tenacity was well-paid with the news that López had died in battle on 1 March 1870, bringing the war to a close.{{sfn|Barman|1999|pp=229–230}}{{sfn|Carvalho|2007|p=121}} Pedro&nbsp;II turned down the General Assembly's suggestion to erect an [[equestrian statue]] of him to commemorate the victory and chose instead to use the money to build elementary schools.<ref>See:
* {{harvnb|Calmon|1975|p=855}},
* {{harvnb|Doratioto|2002|p=455}},
* {{harvnb|Carvalho|2007|p=122}},
* {{harvnb|Barman|1999|p=230}}.</ref>