Presidente da Semana - Ep. 4 - Campos Sales, todo o poder emana das oligarquias

Summary

This podcast episode delves into the presidency of Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales, who governed Brazil from 1898 to 1902. Known for his fiscal austerity measures and economic reforms, he faced public unpopularity due to spending cuts and inflation control tactics. Despite his unpopularity, Campos Sales solidified political power through the 'policy of governors,' ensuring state governors' loyalty in exchange for support, which perpetuated oligarchic rule. His legacy also includes consolidating the 'coffee with milk' policy between São Paulo and Minas Gerais. His successor, Rodrigues Alves, inherited a country in fiscal recovery, but Campos Sales' time ended with him being met with hostility and public discontent.

Takeaways

• 😀 Campos Sales, President of Brazil from 1898-1902, used economic austerity to resolve the country’s debt crisis but became unpopular due to harsh measures like tax hikes and spending cuts.
• 😀 Despite his unpopularity, Campos Sales’ presidency marked the consolidation of political power, with his policies ensuring the survival of the Old Republic.
• 😀 Campos Sales was a key figure in the Republican movement, coming from a background of law, politics, and coffee production, making him a highly influential leader at the time.
• 😀 His policies, particularly the 'Policy of Governors,' created an oligarchic system in which state governors, in exchange for federal support, controlled elections and ensured political loyalty.
• 😀 Campos Sales implemented measures like burning money and imposing taxes on goods, earning him the nickname 'Los Selos' ('The Stamps') for marking products with tax stamps.
• 😀 His administration was characterized by a detachment from the public’s opinion, as Campos Sales prioritized fiscal discipline and political alliances over popular support.
• 😀 Despite his rigid fiscal policies, Campos Sales set up the 'Coffee with Milk' policy, consolidating political control between São Paulo and Minas Gerais, ensuring stability for decades.
• 😀 Campos Sales' term highlighted the lack of democracy in the early Republic, with elections manipulated by governors who controlled the political process.
• 😀 Despite the authoritarian measures, Campos Sales' fiscal policies helped resolve Brazil's financial crisis, leaving the country's finances in a healthier position for his successor.
• 😀 By the end of his presidency, Campos Sales faced growing unpopularity due to his economic measures, culminating in public protests and hostility towards him as he left office.

Q & A

What were the circumstances that led to Campos Sales becoming president of Brazil?

Campos Sales became president after being a key figure in the republican movement, having been a deputy, senator, and governor of São Paulo. He had a strong background in law, economics, and politics, which led to his overwhelming victory in the presidential election in 1898.

What was the main economic challenge that Campos Sales faced during his presidency?

The main challenge Campos Sales faced was Brazil's economic crisis, including national debt and inflation. To address this, he implemented fiscal austerity measures, including cutting spending, increasing taxes, and securing loans from abroad.

How did Campos Sales manage to stabilize Brazil's finances during his presidency?

Campos Sales stabilized Brazil's finances by taking a loan of 10 million pounds from Europe, using the Rio Customs and the city's water supply network as collateral. He also imposed harsh measures like burning money to reduce inflation, suspending investments, and raising taxes.

What were some of the controversial aspects of Campos Sales' governance?

Campos Sales' government was marked by fiscal austerity, which caused discontent among the public. He was also criticized for his detachment from the people, as well as his discriminatory views on immigration and racial issues, notably preferring Italian immigrants over Armenians and imposing restrictions on black people during official trips.

What was the 'policy of governors' and how did it shape Brazilian politics during Campos Sales' presidency?

The 'policy of governors' was an agreement between the federal government and state governments. Campos Sales ensured that state governors who were loyal to him could appoint their own representatives without federal interference, thus solidifying political control and reducing opposition.

How did the policy of governors contribute to the perpetuation of oligarchy in Brazil?

The policy of governors contributed to the perpetuation of oligarchy by allowing local political elites (governors) to maintain control over their states. This arrangement resulted in limited political competition, as only those endorsed by the governors could gain political recognition.

What was the 'coffee with milk' policy and how did it impact Brazilian politics?

The 'coffee with milk' policy referred to the political alliance between the coffee-producing state of São Paulo and the milk-producing state of Minas Gerais. This alliance ensured that both states alternated in controlling the presidency for decades, consolidating political power in these two regions and limiting representation from other areas.

What did Campos Sales believe about Brazil's political maturity and its democracy?

Campos Sales believed that Brazil was too young to have a fully functional democracy. He argued that, due to the country's lack of well-established political parties and structures, the country's administration had to rely on strong leadership and control to maintain stability.

How did the public react to the end of Campos Sales' presidency?

At the end of his presidency, Campos Sales became unpopular due to his austerity measures, with the public protesting his economic policies. He was booed and insulted in the streets, and police had to protect him as people threw stones at his train.

What was Campos Sales' legacy in Brazilian politics?

Campos Sales' legacy includes his role in stabilizing Brazil's economy through strict fiscal policies and his implementation of the policy of governors, which contributed to the consolidation of political power among elites. His presidency also marked the entrenchment of oligarchic structures and the dominance of São Paulo and Minas Gerais in national politics.