03 - República Velha - Boris Fausto

Summary

This video script explores the key events and dynamics leading up to and following the Proclamation of the Brazilian Republic. It discusses the political forces behind the Republic's formation, contrasting regional elites with the military, and delves into the socio-economic conditions that shaped early 20th-century Brazil. Key topics include the centralization versus decentralization debates, the role of agriculture and industry, the impact of immigration, and the rise of labor movements. It also touches on significant historical events like the Canudos conflict and the 1930 Revolution, setting the stage for Getúlio Vargas' rise to power.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Provisional Government of the Republic of the United States of Brazil declared the formation of a federal republic, marking the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the First Republic.
• 😀 There were two main forces behind the proclamation of the Republic: regional elites, especially from São Paulo, who favored a decentralized republic, and the military, who wanted a more centralized government.
• 😀 The Brazilian Constitution of 1891 established the federal republic and the division of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches, following the American model.
• 😀 The first republic maintained the literacy requirement for voting but allowed for election fraud due to the lack of a secret ballot, especially in rural areas.
• 😀 At the turn of the 20th century, Brazil was still largely an agricultural country, with economic growth focused on export commodities like coffee and rubber.
• 😀 The rubber boom in the Amazon region significantly changed the landscape of cities like Manaus and Belém but collapsed after 1910 due to competition from Southeast Asia.
• 😀 While some regions of Brazil progressed economically, others, particularly in the Northeast, remained poor, and many rural populations lived in precarious conditions.
• 😀 The Canudos movement, led by Antônio Conselheiro in the 1890s, was a significant attempt by the rural poor to organize against their conditions, ultimately crushed by the government.
• 😀 Cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro underwent urban transformations due to industrialization and immigration, which helped expand the labor force but also exacerbated social inequalities.
• 😀 Mass immigration to Brazil from Europe, particularly Italian workers, helped fill the labor needs in the coffee plantations and introduced socialist ideas, including anarchism, to the country.
• 😀 The decline of anarchism after World War I led to the rise of communism in Brazil, with the formation of the Communist Party in 1922 and growing worker movements in the 1920s.
• 😀 The political system of the First Republic was marked by a dominance of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, known as the 'coffee with milk' alliance, but this alliance eventually fractured, leading to the 1930 Revolution and the rise of Getúlio Vargas.

Q & A

What were the two main forces behind the Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil?

The two main forces behind the Proclamation of the Republic in Brazil were the regional parties, primarily the Paulista Republican Party, which advocated for a decentralized republic, and the military, which favored a more centralized, often authoritarian, republic focused on national unity.

How did the 1891 Brazilian Constitution reflect the influence of the elites and regional interests?

The 1891 Constitution created a Federal Republic, dividing Brazil into states and promoting the model of the United States. It established a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, while also reflecting the interests of regional elites by maintaining a decentralized power structure.

What role did literacy play in the electoral system during the First Republic?

During the First Republic, voting was restricted to literate citizens, effectively limiting the electorate. However, the system lacked a secret ballot, making it easier for voters to be coerced or manipulated, especially in rural areas.

How did Brazil's economy change in the late 19th century and early 20th century?

Brazil's economy shifted toward agricultural exportation, with coffee being the dominant product in the South and Center-South regions. The rubber industry, particularly in the Amazon, also grew rapidly before facing a crisis due to competition from British plantations in Asia.

What was the significance of the Canudos Rebellion?

The Canudos Rebellion, led by Antônio Conselheiro in the 1890s, was a significant social movement where poor rural inhabitants of northeastern Brazil sought a better life. The government, instead of addressing their grievances, opted to destroy the community, symbolizing the state’s inability to address rural poverty.

How did the urban transformation of Rio de Janeiro during the early Republic affect the poor?

The urban transformation in Rio de Janeiro, including the opening of new streets like Avenida Rio Branco, displaced many poor citizens, forcing them into suburban areas or into the slums (favelas). The expansion worsened the social divide, with the poor living in unsanitary conditions.

What role did immigration play in Brazil's industrial development?

Mass immigration to Brazil, especially from Italy and Germany, fueled industrial development, particularly in São Paulo. Immigrants were essential to filling labor shortages, particularly after the abolition of slavery, and contributed to the country's economic growth and the expansion of coffee plantations.

What was the significance of the rise of anarchism in Brazil during the early 20th century?

Anarchism, particularly the anarcho-syndicalist movement, became influential in Brazil’s labor movements. While the movement failed to achieve its revolutionary goals, it successfully advocated for workers' rights, including the eight-hour workday and gender pay equality.

How did the aftermath of World War I affect political ideologies in Brazil?

After World War I, anarchism lost traction globally, including in Brazil, as it failed to deliver tangible improvements for workers. Meanwhile, the Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the rise of communism, culminating in the formation of the Communist Party of Brazil in 1922.

What led to the breakdown of the political alliance between São Paulo and Minas Gerais in 1930?

The breakdown of the São Paulo-Minas Gerais political alliance in 1930 was due to economic and political differences. Minas Gerais, seeking greater influence, allied with Rio Grande do Sul to support Getúlio Vargas’s presidential campaign, leading to a political rupture and ultimately the 1930 revolution.