PRIMEIRA REPÚBLICA #1 Política e Economia

Summary

In this video, history teacher Bruna Rodrigues introduces the First Republic of Brazil, covering its political, economic, and social aspects. The video is divided into three parts: the political and economic features, social movements and revolts, and the crisis leading to Vargas' coup. Rodrigues explains the shift from monarchy to republic, detailing the Republic of the Sword and the Oligarchic Republic. Key topics include federalism, universal male suffrage, the coffee-based economy, electoral manipulation, and the rise of colonels. The video ends by previewing the social unrest that marked the latter years of the First Republic.

Takeaways

• 😀 The First Republic of Brazil began in 1889 with a military coup that ended the monarchy and established the republic.
• 😀 The Republic of the Sword (1889-1894) was the first phase of the First Republic, marked by military leaders in power.
• 😀 The Brazilian Constitution of 1889 made Brazil a secular state, separating church and state for the first time in history.
• 😀 Federalism was introduced, giving states autonomy while still recognizing the authority of the federal government.
• 😀 The tripartite division of powers (executive, legislative, and judiciary) replaced the imperial moderating power.
• 😀 Universal male suffrage was established, though high illiteracy rates meant the number of voters was not significantly larger than in the empire.
• 😀 Rui Barbosa's 'encilhamento' policy aimed to modernize the economy but led to inflation and a currency crisis due to excessive paper money production.
• 😀 The Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930) was dominated by the coffee-growing elites of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, who alternated power in a system known as the 'Republic of Coffee with Milk.'
• 😀 Electoral manipulation, corruption, and fraud became common in the Oligarchic Republic, with governors and local elites controlling the vote through exchanges of favors.
• 😀 Coronelismo (the system of local landowners controlling votes) was central to the political structure, where 'colonels' used threats and violence to ensure political control.
• 😀 Despite the democratic appearance of the system, elections were often marked by fraud, violence, and the lack of freedom for voters, with political power remaining in the hands of a few elites.

Q & A

What was the main political change that occurred in Brazil in 1889?

In 1889, Brazil transitioned from a monarchy to a republic, with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca and the military overthrowing Emperor Dom Pedro II, thus ending the Brazilian Empire and proclaiming the First Republic.

Why is the First Republic sometimes referred to as the 'Old Republic'?

The term 'Old Republic' was coined by Getúlio Vargas to downplay the significance of the period, implying that everything before his rise to power was outdated, as he sought to bring a new face to Brazil.

What were the two phases of the First Republic?

The First Republic is divided into two phases: the Republic of the Sword (1889-1894), dominated by military leadership, and the Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930), where power was largely held by coffee-producing elites.

What key constitutional changes occurred during the First Republic?

During the First Republic, Brazil became a secular state, separating church and state. Federalism was adopted, with governors gaining autonomy. Additionally, the tripartite division of powers (executive, legislative, judiciary) was established, replacing the imperial moderating power.

What was the significance of the change in voting during the First Republic?

Voting became universal for all men over 21, although it was still open (not secret), and illiterates were excluded. This expansion of voting rights contrasted with the earlier imperial system, but the rate of illiteracy remained high, limiting the true inclusivity of the vote.

What was the 'Encilhamento' policy and why did it fail?

The 'Encilhamento' policy, implemented by Minister Rui Barbosa under Deodoro da Fonseca's presidency, aimed to modernize Brazil by increasing the production of paper money and facilitating credit. However, it failed because excessive paper money was not backed by gold, leading to devaluation, and easy credit led to widespread fraud and financial instability.

What economic problems did Brazil face after the failure of the 'Encilhamento' policy?

The failure of the 'Encilhamento' policy resulted in Brazil's currency becoming devalued and a financial crisis that led to the emergence of fictitious companies and a banking collapse. This economic turmoil persisted throughout the First Republic.

What is meant by the term 'Republic of Coffee with Milk'?

The 'Republic of Coffee with Milk' refers to the political alliance between São Paulo, the coffee-producing state, and Minas Gerais, which dominated Brazilian politics during the Oligarchic Republic. The alliance was about economic and political power, not the literal production of coffee and milk.

How did electoral manipulation work in the Oligarchic Republic?

Electoral manipulation in the Oligarchic Republic involved strategies like the 'governors' policy', where state governors traded favors with the President to ensure their state would support favored candidates. This led to widespread electoral fraud, violence, and corruption, particularly through the influence of powerful figures like the 'colonels'.

Who were the 'colonels' and what role did they play in the First Republic?

The 'colonels' were wealthy landowners who controlled vast rural areas in Brazil. They wielded significant political power, often manipulating elections in exchange for favors from the government. Their influence played a key role in the electoral system during the Oligarchic Republic, ensuring the dominance of certain political alliances.