A REVOLTA DA VACINA NO BRASIL - 1904: leis sanitárias, epidemia | RESUMO DE HISTÓRIA ENEM

Summary

The Vaccine Revolt of 1904 in Rio de Janeiro was a significant urban uprising during Brazil's Old Republic, driven by widespread opposition to mandatory vaccination and urban reforms. Amid severe health crises, the government’s aggressive public health policies, including sanitation and vaccination against smallpox, led to tension with the working class. The revolt, marked by barricades and violence, reflected broader discontent with government interference in daily life and the demolition of working-class housing. Despite the revolt being partly fueled by anti-vaccine sentiment, the protests were also against broader social and economic injustices, with popular discontent aimed at government authoritarianism and inequality.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Revolt of the Vaccine (1904) in Rio de Janeiro was one of the most significant urban popular uprisings during the Old Republic.
• 😀 The city of Rio de Janeiro faced a severe sanitary crisis with diseases like yellow fever, malaria, smallpox, and bubonic plague spreading.
• 😀 The government's 'regeneration' initiative aimed to reform and beautify the city center, targeting urbanization and modernization, including street widening and public sanitation projects.
• 😀 A major part of the urban reforms involved the demolition of about 10,000 housing units, which displaced the poor, especially former slaves and immigrants.
• 😀 As the city center was being 'cleaned up', the displaced population began occupying the hills, a process that contributed to the early formation of favelas.
• 😀 A key component of the sanitary policy was compulsory vaccination against smallpox, led by Oswaldo Cruz, which became highly controversial.
• 😀 The law enforcing compulsory vaccination included penalties for those refusing to get vaccinated, such as losing jobs or school access.
• 😀 Opposition to the vaccination was fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories, including claims that the vaccine could cause people to develop animal-like traits.
• 😀 The vaccination law and urban reforms, particularly the demolition of homes, sparked a popular revolt, with barricades and clashes with the police in the streets.
• 😀 The revolt wasn't just against the vaccine but also against the broader government policies of forced urban reforms and the invasion of people's private spaces.
• 😀 Although the vaccination campaign continued and was largely successful, the revolt highlighted deep discontent with the government's authoritarian measures and the disregard for the poor's living conditions.

Q & A

What was the primary issue that led to the Revolt of the Vaccine in Rio de Janeiro in 1904?

The Revolt of the Vaccine was triggered by the government's mandatory vaccination policy to combat smallpox. It was part of a broader public health initiative to address multiple epidemics, but it faced opposition due to the authoritarian nature of its enforcement.

What were some of the significant health crises in Rio de Janeiro during the early 20th century?

Rio de Janeiro was facing severe health crises, including yellow fever, malaria, smallpox, and bubonic plague, which motivated the government's sanitary reforms.

What was the 'regeneration' policy in the context of the Revolt of the Vaccine?

The 'regeneration' policy involved urban reforms aimed at beautifying and modernizing Rio de Janeiro. This included projects like the construction of the Municipal Theatre, widening streets, and installing electric lighting, which primarily benefited the urban elites and middle class.

How did the government aim to fight the epidemics, aside from vaccination?

The government implemented a series of sanitary measures, such as mosquito control programs, rat extermination, and the creation of rat farms to fight the spread of the diseases, particularly the bubonic plague.

What was the public reaction to the mandatory vaccination law?

Many people opposed the mandatory vaccination, seeing it as an infringement on personal freedoms. Anti-vaccination campaigns, including a petition with 15,000 signatures, were launched to challenge the law.

What role did the anti-vaccination campaign play in the revolt?

The anti-vaccination campaign, which spread misinformation about the vaccine potentially causing bovine traits in humans, fueled opposition. However, the revolt was not solely about the vaccine but also about broader grievances regarding government policies.

How did the poor and working-class people of Rio de Janeiro respond to the urban reforms?

The urban reforms, particularly the 'bota-abaixo' (demolition) policy, led to the destruction of many working-class homes, pushing the displaced people into the hills, which contributed to the rise of favelas in the city.

Who was responsible for implementing the mandatory vaccination policy?

The mandatory vaccination policy was implemented under the leadership of President Rodrigues Alves and managed by Oswaldo Cruz, a prominent physician and public health expert.

What was the political context in which the Revolt of the Vaccine occurred?

The revolt occurred during the early years of the Brazilian Republic, a period when military influence was still strong, and some groups, like the florianistas, sought to restore military rule, which was partly fueled by opposition to the civilian government.

What was the outcome of the Revolt of the Vaccine?

Despite the popular protests, the revolt was suppressed by the government. The military repressed the revolt, leading to numerous deaths and arrests, and the mandatory vaccination law remained in place.