A Primeira República do Brasil (República Velha)

Summary

This educational video delves into the history of Brazil's First Republic (1889-1930), exploring key phases such as the 'Republic of the Sword' and the 'Oligarchic Republic.' It highlights pivotal events, including military coups, political alliances, and revolts like the War of Canudos and the Revolt of the Chibata. The video also explains the dominance of coffee and milk oligarchies, corruption, and electoral fraud. Ultimately, the First Republic's decline is traced to the rise of Getúlio Vargas, who ended the coffee with milk politics, signaling a dramatic shift in Brazil's political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil on November 15, 1889 marked the shift from monarchy to republic.
• 😀 The first phase of the First Republic (1889-1930) is known as the 'Republica Velha' and was divided into two periods: the Republic of the Sword and the Oligarchic Republic.
• 😀 The 'Republic of the Sword' (1889-1894) was dominated by military leaders, including Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto, following a military coup.
• 😀 Deodoro da Fonseca, the first president, dissolved Congress in 1891, leading to his resignation after facing opposition.
• 😀 Floriano Peixoto, known as the 'Iron Marshal,' became president after Deodoro’s resignation but faced widespread unrest, including revolts and rebellions.
• 😀 The Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930) was characterized by rule by landowners and elites, with the 'café com leite' alliance between São Paulo and Minas Gerais determining political power.
• 😀 Prudente de Morais was the first civilian president, elected in 1894, and his successors continued policies favoring the coffee oligarchs.
• 😀 Corruption and patronage politics led to the practice of 'coronelismo,' where local elites controlled elections through fraud and coercion.
• 😀 Several major revolts took place during this period, such as the War of Canudos (1896-1897), Revolta da Vacina (1904), and Revolta da Chibata (1910), reflecting widespread social unrest.
• 😀 The Oligarchic Republic ended in 1930 when Getúlio Vargas, through a coup, overthrew the existing political system, marking the start of a new era in Brazilian politics.

Q & A

What was the period called after Brazil's proclamation of the republic?

The period following Brazil's proclamation of the republic is known as the 'Old Republic' or 'First Republic,' lasting from 1889 to 1930.

What were the two phases of the Old Republic, and why were they named as such?

The Old Republic is divided into two phases: the 'Republic of the Sword' and the 'Oligarchic Republic.' The 'Republic of the Sword' was marked by military leaders like Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto, while the 'Oligarchic Republic' was characterized by the dominance of wealthy landowners, particularly from São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

Who were the first military presidents of Brazil during the 'Republic of the Sword' phase?

The first military presidents were Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto. Deodoro became the first president after the military coup in 1889, and Floriano succeeded him.

What was the political conflict that led to Deodoro da Fonseca's resignation?

Deodoro da Fonseca resigned after dissolving the Congress and facing a counter-coup. His resignation was not in line with the constitution, which required new elections, but Floriano Peixoto assumed power instead.

What characterized the 'Oligarchic Republic' and why was it called that?

The 'Oligarchic Republic' (1894-1930) was characterized by the dominance of a small group of landowners, specifically wealthy farmers from São Paulo and Minas Gerais, forming a political elite. This system is referred to as oligarchy, meaning rule by a few.

What was the 'coffee and milk politics,' and how did it affect Brazilian governance?

The 'coffee and milk politics' referred to the political dominance of São Paulo (coffee growers) and Minas Gerais (dairy farmers) in the Old Republic. These two states controlled most of the presidential elections, with the two major political parties, the Republican Party of São Paulo and the Republican Party of Minas Gerais, alternating in power.

Who was the first civilian president of Brazil after Floriano Peixoto, and what was his political background?

The first civilian president after Floriano Peixoto was Prudente de Morais, elected in 1894. He was supported by the São Paulo coffee oligarchy and governed until 1898.

What was 'coronelismo,' and how did it influence Brazilian elections?

'Coronelismo' was a system of local political control where powerful local leaders, known as 'coronéis,' would secure votes through manipulation and violence, ensuring election outcomes. This system was an integral part of the Oligarchic Republic.

What were some of the major revolts that occurred during the Old Republic?

Some major revolts during the Old Republic included the War of Canudos, the Revolta da Vacina (Vaccine Revolt), the Revolta da Chibata (Revolt of the Lash), and the Contestado War. These revolts were responses to social and political inequalities.

How did the global events like World War I and the 1929 Great Depression affect Brazil during the Old Republic?

During the Old Republic, global events such as World War I and the 1929 Great Depression had significant impacts on Brazil. The economy suffered from the global downturn, and Brazil faced economic instability, which contributed to the growing dissatisfaction with the ruling oligarchy.

What led to the end of the Oligarchic Republic, and how did Getúlio Vargas come to power?

The Oligarchic Republic ended due to rising dissatisfaction with the 'coffee and milk' politics. Following the revolt at the Forte de Copacabana and the election fraud in 1930, Getúlio Vargas led a military coup, overthrowing the old political system and taking control of Brazil's government.