03 República Velha

Summary

This transcript explores key historical events in Brazil's early Republican era, focusing on the tension between regional elites and the military. It highlights the birth of the Republic, the creation of a federative government, and social struggles, such as the movement in Canudos and the impact of rubber production. The narrative also delves into the country’s economic reliance on agriculture, the rise of industrialization, and the influx of European immigrants. The piece further discusses political upheavals, the Tenente movement, and the 1930 revolution that brought Getúlio Vargas to power, marking a pivotal moment in Brazil’s history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Provisional Government of the Republic of Brazil declared the establishment of the Federative Republic, dividing Brazil into federated states.
• 😀 The Proclamation of the Republic was influenced by two social and ideological forces: regional elites (e.g., São Paulo’s Republican Party) seeking decentralization, and military forces favoring centralization and national unity.
• 😀 The Republic’s early years were dominated by the military, but eventually, civil elites gained control, as evidenced by the 1891 Constitution, which adopted a federal republic model similar to the United States.
• 😀 The first Brazilian Republic continued the imperial practice of limiting voting rights to literate citizens and maintained the open voting system, which led to significant electoral fraud.
• 😀 Brazil in the late 19th and early 20th century was predominantly agricultural, with economic growth driven by exports like coffee and rubber.
• 😀 Rubber production, especially in the Amazon region, was a major driver of Brazil's economy until around 1910, when competition from Southeast Asia led to a crisis.
• 😀 While some regions in Brazil experienced economic growth (e.g., the Center-South), many parts, particularly in the Northeast, remained impoverished, with populations marginalized and exploited for labor.
• 😀 The Canudos conflict (1893-1897) was a significant rural uprising led by Antônio Conselheiro, reflecting the resistance of impoverished rural populations to the Republic's neglect and harsh conditions.
• 😀 The transformation of Rio de Janeiro during the early Republic involved urbanization, but this came at the expense of the poor, who were pushed to the outskirts of the city, creating favelas.
• 😀 Immigration from Europe, particularly from Italy, fueled industrial growth, particularly in São Paulo, while also introducing socialist and anarchist ideas to the Brazilian working class.

Q & A

What were the two main forces behind the Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil?

The two main forces were the regional parties, particularly the Paulista Republican Party, which sought a decentralized republic, and the military, which advocated for a centralized, often authoritarian republic.

How did the constitution of 1891 shape the Brazilian Republic?

The constitution of 1891 established a Federal Republic, dividing the country into states within a federation, and introduced a system of three powers: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary, modeled after the United States.

Why did the first republic maintain voting only for literate individuals?

The first republic continued the imperial policy of restricting voting rights to literate individuals, which contributed to a limited electorate, though it also facilitated electoral fraud due to the lack of secret ballots.

What was the economic focus of Brazil during the first republic?

Brazil's economy during the first republic was largely based on agriculture, particularly the export of coffee, as well as rubber, which was a major export until the rubber crisis of 1910.

What was the significance of rubber production in Brazil at the beginning of the 20th century?

Rubber production, especially in the Amazon region, played a significant role in Brazil's economy, surpassing sugar exports and becoming the second-largest export after coffee, driven by demand for bicycle tires and later automobiles.

How did the rubber crisis of 1910 affect Brazil?

The rubber crisis occurred when rubber plantations in Asia, especially in Malaysia, began to compete with Brazilian rubber, leading to a sharp decline in the Brazilian rubber industry and economic hardship in the affected regions.

What was the Canudos movement, and how did the government respond?

The Canudos movement, led by Antônio Conselheiro, was a community of poor rural workers in the northeast of Brazil seeking better living conditions. The government responded with military force, ultimately destroying the settlement after a long siege.

How did the industrialization of cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro impact urban life?

The industrialization of cities, fueled by coffee and other industries, led to rapid urban growth. This expansion, however, resulted in significant displacement of poor populations to suburbs and favelas, contributing to stark social inequalities.

What role did European immigration play in Brazil’s development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

European immigration, particularly from Italy, helped provide labor for Brazil’s coffee plantations after the abolition of slavery. Immigrants also brought new political ideas, including socialism and anarchism, which influenced Brazilian labor movements.

What was the main difference between the anarchist and Bolshevik ideologies in Brazil?

The main difference was that anarchists in Brazil, particularly anarcho-syndicalists, focused on using trade unions as revolutionary tools, while Bolsheviks, following the Russian Revolution, supported a state-driven approach to socialism.

What was the Tenentist movement, and how did it contribute to the fall of the First Republic?

The Tenentist movement, led by discontented young military officers, was a reaction against political corruption and regionalism. It played a key role in the 1930 revolution, which marked the end of the First Republic and led to the rise of Getúlio Vargas.