Brazil• Originally called the United States of Brazil

– Each state was sovereign, almost a confederation• Between 1889 and 1930, there was significant

instability– Social, political and economic

• Total dependency on their coffee industry– Created artificial demand through storing excess

coffee• Plantations became violent because the workers

lived in debt peonage– Hired thugs were used to keep workers in line

• Brazil got into the war because U-boats sank B merchant ships

• B basically got involved with supplies not military– Food production was neglected in favor of light

industry and coffee…led to malnutrition, diseases and a lack of proper sanitation

– Average lifespan in 1920 was 28…low huh?

Brazil continued

• 64% of the pop over the age of 15 were illiterate

• 3% of the pop voted– Really meant nothing because

elections were rigged anyway

• Coronels ruled– The coronels of Sao Paulo and

Minas Gerais cut a deal, between 1889 and 1930 6 presidents came from there

• So what was the impact???

Politics and Economics in the 30’s

• But the GD had a huge impact on the industry– External debt in 1930 of 1.2 billion– 1/3rd of national budget went to the debt

• Coffee prices fell, how much??– What happened the demand?

• In 1930 the outgoing President nominated a Paulista like himself…..– Ranchers from Minas Gerais wanted the next

President to come from their region soooo….• Liberal Alliance was formed…what did it do?• Vargas became the President…how and what

did it mean?• Getulio Vargas….

Background• Was born in 1883• He first started with the military, then turned to

law• He and his wife had 5 children• Came from a region called Rio Grande do Sul• He served various roles in the government,

including Secretary of the Treasury • He was a wealthy nationalist and anti-

communist– He favored a liberal, capitalist approach

• He lost a 1930 election, running on a populist platform

• He took part in the bloodless coup in 1930, installing Vargas as “provisional president”

Vargas’ Hold on Power..• He ruled over a coalition that was frustrated at

the power of Sao Paulo– Included growing middle class, intellectuals and

tenant farmers, conservative landowners– Pressured by blacks and women for better rights

• His first few years he challenged SP. – “Interventers” were installed in every state except

MG– Loyalty to country, not state– SP oligarchy led a revolt in 1932

• The Constitutionalist Revolution was supported by all of SP

• It was squashed, Vargas pardoned the leaders to gain support and the debt was excused

Vargas Cont.

• In 1932 he lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and extended the vote to women

• Still 95% remained ineligible to vote (illiterate)

• But between 1930-1945 there were no national elections, only state

• 1934-New Constitution drafted– Vargas was elected until 1938 by the national

assembly– Nationalized energy, defense, fixed minimum

wage, guaranteed the right to strike, fixed the 8-hour day and created social security

– Strikes were repressed that weren’t supported by gov

Estado Novo• The left led an armed uprising…squashed

– 15,000 imprisoned and many tortured or put to dealth• 1937—Vargas cancelled 1938 elections, dissolved

congress and assumed dictatorial status w/ new constitution

– Modeled by European Fascism– Dissolved all political parties– Arrested anyone against Vargas – Strict censorship was established

• The new regime was called the Estado Novo( New State)

• They regulated the economy and industrialization became the focus

– Vargas gave tax incentives, import quotas, lowered duties on imports needed for industrialization and low interest long term loans

Impact• Industrial production doubled from 1931-1936• Increased trade with Germany

– German for SA established 300 branches• By 1940 there was significant foreign capitol-

especially with the US• US/B signed a secret agreement to build

airstrips in B– B broke ties w/Germany in 1942– Led to G sinking B merchant ships– In August a B transport shop was sunk, 257

soldiers died– US sent anti-sub ships to B…finally declared

war on 8/22/42• Vargas gave the US complete control over the

B Navy and Air Force….why?

WWII and Brazil• B became less strategic after front became

Europe not N. Africa• B thought committing soldiers meant post-war

reconstructing• In 44’ 25,344 troops were sent to Italy

– Brazilian Expeditionary Force– All logistical support was supplied by the US– Sent a fighter squadron as well

• Lost 1,889 soldiers • WWII led to rapid industrialization

– The US needed supplies– The relationship with the US was mutually

favorable…but how about fascism? • Vargas needed to acquire a façade of democracy

– He game amnesty for political prisoners, allowed political parties and set a date for elections

– Military thought he would not hold them….deposed him

Vargas….again?• Ran in 1950 for President again in 1950

– Ran on a platform of industrialization, nationalism (populism) and expansion of the social welfare program

– He won with 48% of the vote…but he found that….• Inflation rose which hurt the middle class

– He needed foreign investment…• After a series of labor strikes he proposed a

doubling of the minimum wage• In 1954—The “Manifesto of Colonels”• Due to a failed assassination attempt of his

opponent, he was forced to resign • The day he was to leave office he committed

suicide at the age of 72

Impact• Under the Estado Novo society was controlled by

the government– Included all printed materials and radio programs

• Vargas did nothing to improve status of women or minorities

• The promises made to the MC were never a reality…such as…

• When he died people were devastated….really?– The masses were saddened, he appealed to the

common people– Education was not improved at all…in 1942 16% had

completed more than three years of education• Over all, his rhetoric did not match his realty…

populism