POLÍTICA DO CAFÉ COM LEITE

Summary

The 'Café com Leite' policy in Brazil (1889-1930) was a political arrangement where the presidency alternated between representatives of São Paulo, symbolized by coffee, and Minas Gerais, symbolized by milk. This informal agreement ensured political stability, benefiting the wealthy elite through practices like coronelismo and vote coercion. Despite fostering economic growth, it was criticized for being elitist and undemocratic. The policy ended with the 1930 Revolution led by Getúlio Vargas, marking the decline of regional oligarchies. The video also mentions exceptions, such as presidents Hermes da Fonseca and Arthur Bernardes, who broke from this established system.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Coffee with Milk politics was a period in Brazilian history from around 1889 to 1930, dominated by alternating political control between the oligarchies of São Paulo (coffee) and Minas Gerais (milk).
• 😀 The main feature of Coffee with Milk politics was the alternation of presidents from São Paulo and Minas Gerais, ensuring political and economic stability through informal agreements.
• 😀 The 'coffee' symbolized São Paulo, the largest coffee-producing state, while the 'milk' represented Minas Gerais, the main producer of milk and dairy products.
• 😀 Coronelism (local leaders controlling rural populations) was a hallmark of this era, where local leaders (called coronels) wielded significant influence over voters.
• 😀 Vote coercion, known as 'vote cabresto', was common, where coronels pressured voters to support candidates they chose, undermining democratic processes.
• 😀 Despite being marked by political stability and economic growth, the Coffee with Milk politics was criticized for being elitist, exclusionary, and undemocratic.
• 😀 The period also contributed to Brazil's economic growth, driven by coffee exports and industrialization, particularly in São Paulo.
• 😀 The Coffee with Milk system ended in 1930 with the Revolution of 1930, led by Getúlio Vargas, which marked the decline of regional oligarchies.
• 😀 Some presidents during the Coffee with Milk period were not from São Paulo or Minas Gerais, such as Hermes da Fonseca, who broke with the system by winning without their support.
• 😀 Arthur Bernardes, although born in Minas Gerais, was not directly associated with its oligarchies, and his election in 1922 was an exception in the Coffee with Milk political system.

Q & A

What is the 'Café com Leite' policy in Brazilian political history?

The 'Café com Leite' policy refers to a period in Brazilian history from approximately 1889 to 1930, during which political power alternated between the oligarchies of São Paulo, represented by coffee, and Minas Gerais, represented by milk.

Why was the alternation of power between São Paulo and Minas Gerais significant?

The alternation of power ensured political and economic stability for both states, as they were the wealthiest and most influential at the time, and it guaranteed the interests of both oligarchies.

What do coffee and milk symbolize in the 'Café com Leite' policy?

In the 'Café com Leite' policy, coffee symbolized São Paulo, the largest coffee producer in Brazil, while milk represented Minas Gerais, a major producer of milk and dairy products.

What was the role of coronelismo during this period?

Coronelismo was characterized by local leaders, called coronéis, who exerted great influence over rural populations, controlling votes and securing political support in exchange for favors and protection.

What was the practice of 'voto cabresto'?

The practice of 'voto cabresto' was an electoral system in which coronéis coerced voters to vote for candidates of their choosing, undermining democracy and maintaining the oligarchies' control over the election process.

What was the economic impact of the 'Café com Leite' policy?

The 'Café com Leite' policy helped Brazil experience economic growth, largely driven by the export of coffee and the industrialization of São Paulo.

Why was the 'Café com Leite' policy criticized?

It was criticized for being elitist, exclusionary, and undemocratic due to practices like voto cabresto. It also contributed to maintaining political power in the hands of a few oligarchic elites while excluding the majority of the population from the political process.

What other name is the 'Café com Leite' period known by?

The period is also known as the 'Primeiros Anos de República' or 'Old Republic' in Brazil.

How did the 'Café com Leite' policy come to an end?

The policy ended with the Revolution of 1930, led by Getúlio Vargas, which marked the decline of regional oligarchies and the beginning of a new era in Brazilian politics.

Were there any presidents who did not come from São Paulo or Minas Gerais during the 'Café com Leite' period?

Yes, there were a few presidents who did not come from São Paulo or Minas Gerais, such as Hermes da Fonseca, who was from Rio Grande do Sul and broke with the 'Café com Leite' policy, and Arthur Bernardes, who, although born in Minas Gerais, was not directly associated with the state's oligarchies.