Mauá built Brazil's first railway and its first shipyard, created its first gas company, and established its first modern bank. He opposed slavery and the slave trade and was similarly responsible for the installation of the first underwater telegraph cable between South America and Europe.

Despite these achievements, Mauá faced opposition from supporters of slavery and a lack of support from the Brazilian monarchy. Consequently, he went bankrupt by 1875 and was forced to sell his businesses to foreign capitalists.

Mauá eventually died in 1889, less than a month before the proclamation of the Brazilian republic.