Primeira República (1889-1930) - Brasil Escola

Summary

The First Republic of Brazil (1889-1930) was a period marked by political instability, social unrest, and corruption. It began with the military-led Republic of the Sword, followed by the oligarchic Republic dominated by elite coffee and cattle interests. The era saw numerous revolts, including Canudos and Revolta da Vacina, as well as labor strikes. Political manipulation, including vote rigging and clientelism, were central features of governance. The period ended with the 1930 coup, which brought Getúlio Vargas to power, ending the oligarchic rule and signaling a shift in Brazil’s political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The First Republic of Brazil (1889-1930) is also known as the 'Old Republic' and was marked by political instability and social unrest.
• 😀 The period began with the proclamation of the Republic in 1889 and ended in 1930 with the rise of Getúlio Vargas.
• 😀 The first phase, known as the 'Republic of the Sword' (1889-1894), was dominated by military leaders, including Marshals Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto.
• 😀 The Constitution of 1891 was the first Republican constitution of Brazil, establishing a four-year presidential term and voting rights for literate men over 21.
• 😀 The second phase, the 'Oligarchic Republic' (1894-1930), was characterized by power struggles between São Paulo (coffee oligarchs) and Minas Gerais (ranchers).
• 😀 The 'Café com Leite' arrangement refers to the political control alternated between São Paulo and Minas Gerais elites during the Oligarchic Republic.
• 😀 Electoral fraud, manipulation, and clientelism (voto de cabresto) were widespread during the Oligarchic Republic, with coronéis (local political bosses) controlling votes.
• 😀 The First Republic saw numerous revolts and social unrest, including the Canudos War, Revolta da Vacina, Cangaceiros, and the Revolta da Chibata.
• 😀 Economic growth occurred during the period, particularly with industrialization, and immigrants from Europe and Asia were a key part of this expansion.
• 😀 The Republic ended in 1930 after a coup led by Getúlio Vargas, marking the decline of the oligarchic system and the start of the Vargas Era.
• 😀 The Constitution of 1891 established a separation of church and state, as well as a division of Brazil into states instead of provinces, yet failed to provide full political inclusion.

Q & A

What was the duration of the First Republic of Brazil?

The First Republic of Brazil lasted from 1889 to 1930, covering the period from the Proclamation of the Republic until the revolution that brought Getúlio Vargas to power.

What are the two main phases of the First Republic?

The First Republic is divided into two main phases: the Republic of the Sword (1889-1894), marked by military leadership, and the Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930), characterized by elite domination, especially by the coffee and dairy oligarchies of São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

Why is the period from 1889 to 1894 called the 'Republic of the Sword'?

The 'Republic of the Sword' is named for the two initial presidents, Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca and Marechal Floriano Peixoto, both military figures. The military played a significant role in the early years of the republic.

What was the significance of the 1891 Constitution during the Republic of the Sword?

The 1891 Constitution was the first republican constitution of Brazil, establishing a four-year presidential term, and defining voting rights for literate men over 21. It also separated church and state, marking a shift from the previous monarchical system.

What was the 'coffee with milk' political system in the First Republic?

The 'coffee with milk' system refers to the political dominance of São Paulo (associated with coffee production) and Minas Gerais (associated with dairy farming). These two states alternated control over the presidency during the Oligarchic Republic.

What major events and movements characterized the First Republic?

The First Republic was marked by numerous revolts and social movements, including the Revolts of the Armada, the Canudos Revolt, the Revolt of the Vaccine, and the Revolt of the Chibata. Additionally, there were labor strikes and the rise of the Cangaceiro movement in the Northeast.

What role did coronelismo (colonelism) play in the First Republic?

Coronelismo was a system in which powerful local figures known as 'coronéis' used their military, economic, and political influence to manipulate votes in exchange for political favors. This practice led to widespread corruption and the manipulation of elections during the First Republic.

What was the 'Politica dos Governadores' and how did it affect the First Republic?

The 'Politica dos Governadores' was a political system that relied on local coronéis to secure votes for governors in exchange for support for presidential candidates. It helped maintain the dominance of the São Paulo and Minas Gerais oligarchies in national politics.

Why did the 1930 election lead to the end of the Oligarchic Republic?

The 1930 election led to the end of the Oligarchic Republic because, despite Júlio Prestes of São Paulo winning, he was prevented from taking office due to a military coup. Getúlio Vargas, a leader opposed to the coffee and dairy oligarchies, assumed power, ending the oligarchic system.

How did immigration contribute to Brazil's development during the First Republic?

Immigration, particularly from Europe and Asia, played a significant role during the First Republic. Immigrants were primarily brought to work on coffee plantations and later in Brazil’s emerging industrial sector, which grew considerably during this period and expanded further under Vargas.