A redemocratização – História – 9º ano – Ensino Fundamental

Summary

This video explores Brazil's redemocratization process, focusing on the gradual shift from a military dictatorship to democracy. It highlights key moments, such as the 1979 Amnesty Law, the campaign for direct elections, and the 1988 Citizen's Constitution. The narrative details how the military’s retreat from politics was a controlled process, with the people pushing for change despite internal resistance. It emphasizes the role of figures like Tancredo Neves and José Sarney in the transition, and concludes with the 1989 elections, marking the true return of democracy in Brazil.

Takeaways

• 😀 Redemocratization in Brazil was a gradual process, not an overnight event, culminating in the 1988 Constitution.
• 😀 The military dictatorship in Brazil lost both internal and external support by the late 1970s and early 1980s, which led to the beginning of the redemocratization process.
• 😀 A key moment in the redemocratization process was the passing of the Amnesty Law, which pardoned crimes committed by both the dictatorship's opposition and the regime itself.
• 😀 The amnesty law had significant consequences, as it granted forgiveness for the torture and murders committed by government agents during the dictatorship.
• 😀 In 1979, a new party law allowed for the formation of multiple political parties, giving rise to key political organizations like the Workers' Party (PT) and PMDB.
• 😀 The 'Direct Elections Now' campaign was a massive mobilization pushing for direct presidential elections, although the National Congress rejected it in 1984.
• 😀 Despite the failure of the 'Direct Elections Now' campaign, it laid the groundwork for the election of Tancredo Neves in 1985, a pivotal step in Brazil's return to democracy.
• 😀 Tancredo Neves’ unexpected death before taking office led to José Sarney assuming the presidency, marking a significant moment in the transition to democracy.
• 😀 The National Constituent Assembly was convened in 1986 to draft a new democratic constitution, which was approved in 1988 and became known as the 'Citizen's Constitution'.
• 😀 The 1988 Constitution was revolutionary in expanding citizens' rights, including ending voter exclusion based on literacy, and guaranteeing a broader range of individual rights.

Q & A

What does 'Redemocratization' in Brazil refer to?

Redemocratization refers to the gradual process of ending the military dictatorship in Brazil and transitioning to a democratic government. It was not an instantaneous event but rather a series of political, social, and legal steps that took place over several years.

When do some historians argue Brazil truly became a democracy?

Some historians argue that Brazil truly became a democracy in 1988, with the adoption of a new constitution that ensured democratic principles and rights, marking the official end of the military dictatorship.

What was the role of external factors in the fall of the military dictatorship in Brazil?

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, external support for Brazil's military dictatorship dwindled, especially after the United States shifted its foreign policy away from supporting military regimes. This, along with Brazil's economic decline, weakened the dictatorship.

How did the military dictatorship in Brazil start withdrawing from politics?

The military government began a process of political withdrawal, eventually leading to the redemocratization. This shift was influenced by the dictatorship's diminishing legitimacy both domestically and internationally, and the growing pressure from political opposition and civil society.

What was the significance of the Amnesty Law in Brazil's redemocratization?

The Amnesty Law, passed in 1979, played a crucial role in Brazil's redemocratization. It granted forgiveness for both political crimes committed by opposition groups and the government’s own crimes, including acts of torture and murder committed during the dictatorship. This law helped bring some opposition politicians back from exile but also marked a controversial aspect of the transition.

How did the new party law in 1979 affect Brazilian politics?

The new party law in 1979 allowed for the creation of multiple political parties, breaking the military’s monopoly on politics. This law led to the emergence of several new parties, such as the Workers' Party (PT) and the Brazilian Democratic Movement (PMDB), marking the re-establishment of a multiparty system.

What was the 'Direct Elections Now' campaign, and what was its outcome?

The 'Direct Elections Now' campaign, launched in the early 1980s, aimed to restore direct presidential elections, which had been suspended during the dictatorship. Despite widespread public support and mobilization, the campaign failed when the National Congress rejected the constitutional amendment that would have allowed direct elections. However, it helped build momentum for democratic transition.

Who was Tancredo Neves, and what was his role in the transition to democracy?

Tancredo Neves was a prominent Brazilian politician who became the symbol of the transition to democracy. In 1985, he was elected president in an indirect election, supported by a broad coalition that included both opposition and military-aligned groups. However, he died before taking office, and his vice president, José Sarney, assumed the presidency.

What was the National Constituent Assembly, and why was it important for Brazil's redemocratization?

The National Constituent Assembly, convened in 1987, was tasked with drafting Brazil’s new constitution. This assembly was significant because it involved widespread public debate about the country's future laws and rights, leading to the creation of the 1988 Constitution, known as the 'Citizen's Constitution,' which guaranteed fundamental democratic rights and civil liberties.

What was the major achievement of the 1988 Constitution for Brazilian citizens?

One of the major achievements of the 1988 Constitution was the expansion of voting rights. It ended the exclusion of illiterate citizens from voting, marking a significant step toward political inclusivity and equality in Brazil.