Segundo Governo Vargas - Brasil Escola

Summary

This lesson covers the second presidency of Getúlio Vargas, who was elected democratically in 1950 and governed Brazil until his tragic suicide in 1954. The script explores the political crises during his presidency, marked by strong opposition from conservative factions like the UDN. Vargas promoted a nationalist economic policy, including the creation of Petrobras. Despite facing political and social tensions, including worker protests and military discontent, Vargas remained in power until the 1954 Rua Toneleiro incident, which led to his political isolation and eventual suicide. His death left a lasting impact, reshaping Brazil's political landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 Getúlio Vargas was elected president in 1950 for his second term, serving until his suicide in 1954.
• 😀 Vargas faced strong opposition from conservative factions, especially the UDN (National Democratic Union), throughout his second government.
• 😀 The 1950 election saw Vargas defeat Eduardo Gomes of the UDN and Cristiano Machado of the PSD, with Vargas winning 48.7% of the vote.
• 😀 Vargas implemented nationalist economic policies, prioritizing the development of national industries, such as Petrobras (created in 1953).
• 😀 The creation of Petrobras was part of Vargas's campaign for Brazil to exploit its own oil, with the slogan 'O petróleo é nosso' (The oil is ours).
• 😀 Vargas's government aimed to balance political opposition by appointing UDN members to key ministries, although this did not stop the ongoing political conflict.
• 😀 A major area of tension was between nationalist factions, who supported state-led development, and those who favored foreign capital and a free-market approach.
• 😀 Vargas's policies faced resistance from elites and conservative groups, especially over the interventionist role of the state in the economy.
• 😀 Public dissatisfaction, including issues like poor housing and rising living costs, contributed to the destabilization of Vargas's government.
• 😀 Major events that challenged Vargas included the March of Empty Pots (protest against economic hardship) and the 1954 São Paulo workers' strike, which led to the appointment of João Goulart as Minister of Labor.
• 😀 The assassination attempt on Carlos Lacerda in August 1954, followed by the discovery of his links to Vargas's security chief, resulted in Vargas's political isolation and eventual suicide on August 24, 1954.
• 😀 Vargas's death created a massive public outcry, with millions attending his funeral, while his political opponents, especially Lacerda, were ostracized by the public.

Q & A

What were the main challenges faced by Getúlio Vargas during his second presidency?

Getúlio Vargas faced significant political opposition from conservative factions, especially from the UDN (União Democrática Nacional), which criticized his nationalist policies. Additionally, economic challenges, including a decline in the population's quality of life and rising costs of living, further destabilized his government.

How did Getúlio Vargas win the 1950 presidential elections?

Vargas won the 1950 elections by building strong alliances with key political figures, such as Ademar Barros in São Paulo, and by gaining support from various parties, including the PTB (Partido Trabalhista Brasileiro). His main opposition came from Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, who made a significant misstep by opposing the minimum wage, alienating workers.

What was the 'Campanha do Petróleo' and how did it influence Brazil's development?

The 'Campanha do Petróleo' (Campaign for Oil) was a nationalist movement led by Vargas to ensure that Brazil's oil resources were exploited by a Brazilian state-owned company rather than foreign corporations. This campaign resulted in the establishment of Petrobras in 1953, which gained a monopoly over oil exploration in Brazil.

Why was the creation of Eletrobras important during Vargas's presidency, and why was it unsuccessful?

Vargas aimed to create Eletrobras as a state-owned company to manage electricity production in Brazil, but the project was blocked by opposition. However, his government was still successful in expanding the country's electricity infrastructure, even though Eletrobras was only created in 1962.

What led to the creation of the Manifesto dos Coronéis in 1954?

The Manifesto dos Coronéis was a reaction to the government's proposal to double the minimum wage, which was seen as excessive by conservative military factions. The document, written by military officers, expressed their dissatisfaction with Vargas's economic policies and his government in general.

How did Vargas attempt to manage the political crisis with the military and conservative factions?

Vargas attempted to calm tensions by firing João Goulart, the Minister of Labor, in response to military opposition. He also ratified the proposed 100% increase in the minimum wage, which contributed to the political crisis but was aimed at maintaining support among the working class.

What was the significance of the 'Marcha das Panelas Vazias' and the 'Greve dos 300.000'?

Both events were significant demonstrations of dissatisfaction among the working class during Vargas’s second presidency. The 'Marcha das Panelas Vazias' involved 60,000 people protesting the economic situation, while the 'Greve dos 300.000' was a major strike in São Paulo involving over 300,000 workers, highlighting the growing unrest.

Who was Carlos Lacerda and what role did he play in the opposition to Vargas?

Carlos Lacerda was a key figure in the opposition to Vargas. As a journalist and leader of the UDN, he used his media platform, the 'Tribuna da Imprensa', to denounce the Vargas government, often publishing both true and false allegations, which contributed significantly to the political instability of the period.

What was the 'Atentado da Rua Toneleiro' and how did it affect Vargas’s government?

The 'Atentado da Rua Toneleiro' was an assassination attempt on Carlos Lacerda in August 1954. Although the attempt failed, the death of Lacerda’s bodyguard, Major Rubens Vaz, led to a military investigation that uncovered corruption within the Vargas government. This event significantly weakened Vargas's political position.

What were the circumstances surrounding Getúlio Vargas's suicide in 1954?

Vargas, facing mounting pressure and political isolation after the Atentado da Rua Toneleiro and the investigation into his government, became increasingly cornered. On August 24, 1954, he committed suicide in his room at the Palácio do Catete, leaving behind a farewell letter in which he portrayed himself as a martyr defending the interests of the people.