Prudente José de Moraes Barros (October 4, 1841 - December 3, 1902) was the third president of Brazil (the first civilian, and the first to be elected by direct popular ballot, under the permanent provisions of Brazil's 1891 Constitution). His presidency lasted from November 15, 1894 until November 15, 1898. His term was marked by the War of Canudos, a campesinant revolt in the northeast of the country that was crushed by the Brazilian Army. He also had to face a breakup of diplomatic relations with Portugal, where the mediation of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom was able to reach peace.

Previously he had been the Governor of the State of São Paulo and President of the Senate from 1891 to 1894. He was also president of the Constituint Congress that drafted and approved Brazil's 1891 Constitution. The city of Presidente Prudente is named after him.

His ancestry dated back to the early settlers of Brazil. Prudente de Moraes was born in the vicinity of Itu (Sao Paulo), on October 4, 1841. At three years of age he lost his father, an animal dealer, murdered by a slave. After the remarriage of his mother, Moraes took up residence in the city, where he finished primary school. He graduated with a law degree from the Law School of Sao Paulo in 1863 and moved to Piracicaba that same year. He practiced law there for two years and began his political career in 1865.

During the Empire of Brazil, Moraes belonged first to the Liberal Party, a monarchist. He was elected as alderman in 1865, presiding over the City of Piracicaba.

In 1873, he moved to the Paulista Republican Party (PRP), declaring himself a republican, a trend represented in the Provincial Assembly.

He was a deputy provincial in Sao Paulo city and deputy to the General Assembly of the Empire, defending the republican form of government, abolitionism and federalism. As provincial deputy, he worked in the complex issue of currency of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais, a subject on which he was an expert.

In the contest for the succession of Floriano Peixoto, who died of a stroke on November 23, 1891, Moraes was nominated by the Republican Federal (Federal PR), founded by Paulo Glicerio Francisco in 1893. He won the presidential election on March 1, 1894 and took office on November 15 that year, becoming the first president of Brazil to be elected by direct vote and the first civilian president of Brazil. Prudente had 276,583 votes against 38,291 for his main competitor Afonso Pena. The election had more than 29 politicians polled. His vice president was Dr. Manuel Vitorino Pereira. His election marked the coming to power of the paulista coffee oligarchy in place of the military.

The four - year government of Prudente de Moraes was shaken, both by party political issues (the loss of Federal support of the Republican Party) and opposition Florianists and continued in Rio Grande do Sul, with the Federalist Revolt (1893 – 1895).

Prudente de Moraes devoted all of his efforts to pacify the factions, which had in its extreme advocates of strong government of Floriano and supporters of the monarchy. During his rule, he left one by one the innovative measures of Floriano Peixoto. This caution was necessary since Florianists still had some strength, particularly in the Army. In addition, the vice president was connected to the ideas of Floriano. Prudente de Morais envisioned a government that served more growers and the military, away from politics.

Early in his government, he pacified the Federalist Revolution of Rio Grande do Sul by signing peace with the rebels, who received amnesty.

In 1896, he faced a diplomatic issue involving the British, who saw fit to take possession of the island of Trinidad in 1895, and the revolt of the Military School. He asserted his authority by closing the school and military club. The diplomatic issue was resolved favorably to Brazil.

Prudente de Morais reestablished relations with Portugal and signed the Treaty of Friendship, along with the Commerce and Navigation with Japan in November 1895 with the aim of encouraging the arrival of Japanese immigrants.

But shortly after he would face an even greater rebel movement: the War of Straws in the interior of Bahia.

Forced to undergo surgery, Prudente de Moraes retired from power between November 10, 1896 and March 4, 1897, handing the office to Vice President Dr. Manuel Vitorino Pereira. In this interim, Manuel Vitorino transferred the seat of government from Itamaraty Palace to the Palace of Catete.

With the victory of the rebels of Antonio Conselheiro on various military expeditions, the situation further deteriorated. Moraes interrupted convalescence and then appointed Minister of War General Carlos Machado Bittencourt, who led a new expedition and defeated the rebels.

Internal differences in PR and the Federal War of Canudos weakened the government. Even with the victory of the government troops in the war, tempers were not abated. On November 5, 1897, during a military ceremony, Moraes suffered an attempt on his life. He escaped unhurt, but his war minister, Marshal Bittencourt, died defending his life. The president decreed a state of siege for the Distrito Federal (Rio de Janeiro (City) and Niterói) so as to get rid of the most troublesome opponents.

The difficult economic and financial crisis inherited from the encilhamento put stress on his administration, mainly because of military spending, increasing the debt owed to foreign creditors.

With the advice of his ministers of finance, Rodrigues Alves and Bernardino de Campos, he negotiated with the British bankers to consolidate debt, a financial transaction known as a funding loan, with the policy implemented by Joaquim Murtinho within four years.

In foreign policy, the border question with Argentina arbitrated by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, was resolved favorably to Brazil. Historians ascribe that diplomatic success to the efforts and diligence of the Brazilian Government's representative, the Baron of Rio Branco, appointed by Moraes to lead the Brazilian delegation in the arbitration process.