ENTENDA CONTESTADO DE UMA VEZ POR TODAS - SOS História {Prof.Pedro Riccioppo}

Summary

The video dives into the contested movement in Brazil, which took place during the First Republic between 1912 and 1916. This rural, messianic movement, led by José Maria, was a response to land disputes and the lack of resources among impoverished communities. After being displaced for a railway project, people joined the movement seeking land and justice. The movement faced violent repression, particularly from local elites and military forces, resulting in thousands of deaths. The video explores the historical context, key events, and consequences of this little-known but impactful movement in Brazilian history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Contestado Movement' took place between 1912 and 1916, during Brazil's First Republic (also known as the 'Old Republic').
• 😀 The movement occurred in the regions of Paraná and Santa Catarina, with disputes over land ownership between these two areas.
• 😀 The movement was led by José Maria, a supposed spiritual leader with messianic traits, similar to the leader of the Canudos movement.
• 😀 The Contestado Movement was rural and had a community-based, egalitarian focus, advocating for land distribution and an end to social inequality.
• 😀 The movement arose due to widespread land concentration in the hands of elites, leaving many poor, landless, and unemployed, especially after the construction of a railway.
• 😀 The Brazil Railway Company, a British company, was granted land to build a railway, displacing many poor farmers and workers.
• 😀 After the railway construction, many workers and landless peasants became unemployed and migrated to seek land, fueling the movement's growth.
• 😀 The movement faced heavy repression from local elites and government forces, with José Maria dying in the first conflict in Irani in 1912.
• 😀 The movement persisted, with a girl claiming to have visions of José Maria, leading the movement to Santa Catarina, where it continued to grow.
• 😀 The conflict escalated into violent battles, and the Brazilian army was deployed, including mercenaries (called vaqueanos) to suppress the movement, leading to thousands of deaths.
• 😀 The repression was brutal, culminating in the 'Sanguineous Easter' massacre, where even women and children were killed, resulting in the movement's eventual defeat in 1916.

Q & A

What was the Movimento de Contestado?

The Movimento de Contestado was a social and armed conflict that took place between 1912 and 1916 in the southern regions of Brazil, particularly in Paraná and Santa Catarina. It was driven by land disputes and social inequalities, involving displaced rural populations and poor workers seeking land and a better life.

What caused the Movimento de Contestado?

The movement was primarily caused by the displacement of rural populations due to the construction of the Brazil Railway. Many poor workers and sertanejos (peasants) were left without land or homes. Additionally, land disputes between Paraná and Santa Catarina, and the concentration of land in the hands of elites, exacerbated social tensions.

Who was José Maria, and what role did he play in the movement?

José Maria was a spiritual leader and a supposed healer who emerged as a messianic figure during the movement. He claimed to have visions and guided the group of displaced and poor people in their fight for land and social equality. He led the movement until his death in 1912, after which his followers continued the struggle under a new leader.

How did José Maria’s leadership impact the movement?

José Maria’s leadership gave the movement a messianic and religious tone, with his followers believing he was divinely chosen to lead them to a better life. His death in 1912 did not end the movement; instead, it continued to grow, with some of his followers claiming to receive visions from him, strengthening the movement’s resolve.

What were the main characteristics of the movement?

The Movimento de Contestado was a rural, communal, and egalitarian movement. It had a messianic character, with a strong belief in social equality and the idea that people would live without inequality or taxes. The movement was also anti-republican, criticizing the separation of church and state in the First Republic.

How did the Brazilian elites react to the Movimento de Contestado?

The Brazilian elites, including local landowners and authorities, were threatened by the movement. They saw the protesters as a challenge to their power and began to suppress the movement violently. The elites viewed the movement as a disruptive force that could undermine their control over the land and people.

What role did the Brazil Railway Company play in the conflict?

The Brazil Railway Company was granted a large concession of land to build a railway, displacing many rural people in the process. These displaced individuals, combined with unemployed workers who had come to work on the railway, became part of the Movimento de Contestado. The railway construction led to the dispossession of many locals, contributing to the unrest.

How did the movement grow after José Maria's death?

After José Maria's death, the movement continued to grow as new leaders emerged, including a supposed virgin who claimed to be guided by José Maria's spirit. The movement gained more followers, including people from various historical struggles, like those who had participated in the Guerra do Paraguai and the Revolução Federalista, further increasing its momentum.

What was the outcome of the conflict?

The movement was ultimately suppressed through extreme violence. After José Maria’s death, the Brazilian military, equipped with modern weapons, including airplanes and tanks, repressed the movement. Thousands of people were killed, and the movement came to an end in 1916, leaving behind a tragic legacy of bloodshed, including the so-called 'Páscoa Sangrenta' (Bloody Easter).

What was the significance of the 'Páscoa Sangrenta' in the context of the movement?

The 'Páscoa Sangrenta' (Bloody Easter) refers to the brutal suppression of the movement in which many women and children, along with other protesters, were killed by the military. It is considered a symbol of the extreme violence used to eliminate the poor rural groups that were part of the Movimento de Contestado.