História do Brasil por Boris Fausto - A era Vargas

O Trabalhador Brasileiro

This section introduces the topic of the Brazilian worker.

Getúlio Vargas and the Era Vargas

• Getúlio Vargas became a centralizing, modernizing, and authoritarian figure during his 15-year rule from 1930 to 1945.

• This period is known as the Era Vargas.

• Vargas faced internal problems within his government and external opposition from regional elites who opposed centralized power.

• The main problem was with the tenentes, who had supported the 1930 revolution but had their own ideas about what should be done.

• There was a political confrontation between Vargas' government and the tenentes, which ended in a victory for Vargas.

• External problems came mainly from regional elites who opposed centralized power. The most serious case was with São Paulo's elite, which led to resistance and eventually the Revolution of 1932.

Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932

• The Revolution of 1932 was an attempt to interrupt Vargas' dictatorship by calling for a constituent assembly to approve a constitution and establish a democratic regime.

• Although defeated by federal forces after several months, it put legal reform on the agenda and interrupted Vargas' provisional government.

Changes in Economy

This section discusses changes in Brazil's economy during this time period.

Coffee Production

• Brazil could produce more coffee than the market could absorb during this time period. To regulate supply, the government bought coffee from farmers and burned it.

Cotton Production

• The expansion of cotton production in Brazil was due to the crisis in Europe, which led to Germany buying large quantities of Brazilian cotton for textile production.

Industrialization

• The initial impetus for industrialization after 1930 was provided by the conditions of the global crisis. It was difficult to import finished goods because the currency had been valued, so Brazil began producing its own goods.

Desenvolvimento do País

This section discusses the development of Brazil from 1930 onwards, including changes in labor and education policies.

Labor and Education Policies

• From 1930, foreign labor stopped coming to Brazil except for Japanese workers. The workforce used in the major centers of the south-central region was mainly made up of people who migrated from small mining towns or from the northeast.

• Federal reforms implemented by Vargas had several objectives, including the implementation of technical education to address concerns about industrialization and skilled labor. Another objective was to improve the quality and standardization of secondary and university-level education.

• However, Vargas' policies also eliminated conditions for autonomous unionism or worker organization.

Movements in Brazil

This section discusses two movements that emerged after 1930 - Integralism (extreme right-wing movement inspired by fascism) and Communism (extreme left-wing movement).

Integralism Movement

• The Integralist movement was a political group that took inspiration from fascism. It was led by Plinio Salgado, a politician and journalist from São Paulo.

• They were nationalist totalitarians who opposed democratic freedoms and believed in a regime supported by a single party.

• They supported Vargas with hopes of gaining power but were marginalized after his coup in November 1937.

Communist Movement

• The Communist Party adopted an oppositional stance towards Vargas' government. They formed the National Liberation Alliance, which aimed to be a popular front against the government and for major reforms.

• The government closed down the National Liberation Alliance and applied repressive legislation. The Communists then attempted a revolution in November 1935, which failed.

Rise of Authoritarianism

This section discusses how Vargas' government used these movements as pretexts to initiate repression and establish an authoritarian regime.

Intentona Comunista

• The Communist Party's failed revolution gave Vargas' government a pretext to initiate repression.

• This led to the establishment of the Estado Novo regime on November 10, 1937. It was practically unopposed, with police forces closing down Congress.

• The regime assumed dictatorial features under Vargas' leadership. Elections, parties, and freedom of expression were suppressed.

Conclusion

This section concludes by showing footage of Vargas inaugurating various institutions in Brazil.

Inauguration Footage

• Footage shows Vargas inaugurating hospitals and institutes in Brazil.

Utilization of Media during Estado Novo

This section discusses the use of media, such as cinema, theater, radio, and newspapers during the Estado Novo period. These were used to promote the achievements of Getúlio's government.

Importance of Media

• The media played a significant role in promoting the government's accomplishments during the Estado Novo period.

• Cinema, theater, radio, and newspapers were widely utilized for this purpose.

Brazil's Involvement in World War II

This section discusses Brazil's involvement in World War II and how it impacted Getúlio Vargas' political decisions.

Getúlio's Political Leanings

• Initially, Getúlio showed sympathy towards Germany and Italy until he realized that aligning with democratic forces was more practical.

• With the start of World War II in 1939, Brazil had to take sides.

• After German attacks on Brazilian ships, relations with Axis powers were severed and war was declared against them.

Factors Leading to the Crisis of Estado Novo

This section discusses factors that led to the crisis of Estado Novo.

External Factors

• The victory of democratic forces in World War II caused authoritarian ideas to lose credibility.

Internal Factors

• A risky move by Getúlio was trying to mobilize popular support from political sectors and workers who had previously supported him. This move displeased military leaders who had helped establish Estado Novo.

• General Góis Monteiro and Eurico Gaspar Dutra were among those who opposed Getúlio's mobilization of popular support.

The Fall of Estado Novo

This section discusses the fall of Estado Novo and the aftermath.

Getúlio's Popularity

• Despite being deposed, Getúlio maintained his popularity among the people.

Military and Elite Response

• There was no intention from military leaders or elites to completely remove Getúlio from politics.

Return to Power and Suicide

This section discusses Getúlio Vargas' return to power, new challenges faced during this period, and his eventual suicide.

Return to Power

• After a period of democratic rule, Getúlio returned to power through elections.

New Challenges

• During this period, new challenges arose that pushed Getúlio towards suicide.