The Struggle for Unity, Economic Modernization and Upward

International Mobility: 1823 - 1964

The heartland (Southeast - 42% population, 60%GDP, 11%

area) The south (15% population, 17%

GDP, 7% area) The center-west ( 8% population, 6% GDP,

25% area)

the north (6% population, 3% GDP, 40% area)

the northeast (29% population, 13% GDP 18% area)

Amerindians Portuguese African-Brazilians Japanese Other Europeans

◦ Spanish◦ Germans◦ Italians

Portuguese Court taken by British fleet to Rio de Janeiro

Centralization under Joao VI End of the Napoleonic Wars British aid Brazilian Independence

◦Primacy of British Economic Influence

◦Plantation Economy Coffee Cacao Sugar

◦Issue of Slavery ◦French Orientation of Royal Court

◦Conspiracy of the Fazenderos  

Much of imperial court transfers loyalties and remains in the national elite

Decentralization The Coffee Economy

◦ Shift to São Paulo◦ Reinvestment of profits

from coffee

Dominant States◦ São Paulo◦ Minas Gerias ◦ Rio Grande do Sul

Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca, 1st President of Brazil (1889-91)

The revolution of 1930

São Paulo revolt (1932-37)

O Estado Novo (1937-45)◦Populist◦Military support at the beginning

Brazilian army fights in the Italian Theatre Initial performance discredits Vargas with

the armed forces s Returning military overthrows Vargas Beginning of alienation between United

States and the Brazilian left

Constitution of 1946 ◦ Modeled on U.S. constitution◦ Structure so as not to threaten the large land

owners of the Northeast Political Parties

◦ UND◦ PSD◦ PTB◦ Regional - local parties

Vargas: “The Last Hurrah” Vargas wins as candidate of PTB

◦Military officer corps remains suspicious

◦Efforts to advance social revolution frightens the middle class

◦Military exercises its “Mediating power”

Reform governor of São Paulo

First “UDN candidate” to be elected president

Resignation after less than one year i office ◦ Surprises the military◦ Frustrates UDN◦ Weakens the

democratic regime

◦ Temporary switch to parliamentary system

◦ Goulart assumes full power (1962)

◦ Efforts to create a pro-Vargas majority Courting peasants in the

Northeast Strengthing labor-based

infrastructure of the PTB Courting the urban poor Anti-American

nationalism

Pressures for Military Intervention ◦ Conflictual social polarization ◦ Middle class fears of workers◦ Attempt to divide the military along officer –

enlisted lines ◦ Role of the United States government

Humberto Castelo Branco assumes power

Military demobilizes potential opponents◦ President Goulart

flees to Uruguay◦ Key elected officials

of PTB removed from office

Demobilization portrayed as temporary