The Republic of Rio Grande was established on September 11, 1836, during the Farroupilha Revolution. The first capital of the new Republic was placed in the city of Piratini. The presidents of the Republic were Bento Gonçalves da Silva and Gomes Jardim.

The Republic of Rio Grande was dissolved on March 1, 1845, by the Poncho Verde Treaty which contained some agreements and laws derived from the constitution of the old Republic.

Today, some separatist groups in the state allege that the Poncho Verde Treaty is invalid and that the current state of Rio Grande do Sul should secede from Brazil and become its own country.

The symbols of the Republic of Rio Grande are found on the current flag of Rio Grande do Sul. Some of the cities outside of Metropolitan Porto Alegre employ names of leaders of the old Republic: Caxias do Sul, Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Farroupilha.

In homage to the old capital city of the Republic of Rio Grande, the current state government's headquarters is named the Piratini Palace.