Brazilian Republic: Military Government & 1891 Constitution

• Period between 1889-1930 marks the beginning of the republican regime in Brazil.

Formation of the Military Government

• Following the overthrow of the monarchy on November 15th, a provisional military junta was formed, led by Mal. Deodoro da Fonseca.
• The junta governed until a new constitution could be written.
• The new government was based on a federalist republic system, where a representative is elected to govern for a period of time.
• Federalism would give states greater autonomy, allowing them to elect governors, make laws, convene police force, and have a constitution.
• The United States served as an inspiration in forming the government.

The 1891 Constitution

• The constitution was enacted a year after the provisional government of Mal. Deodoro da Fonseca.
• The consitution ensured the adoption of a republican and federalist regime.
• Provinces would now have greater autonomy as states.
• The moderating power was removed from the new constitutions. The Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary powers remained.
• The president was confirmed as the head of the executive branch with a 4-year term.
• Elections would be direct, with 80% of the population excluded from voting due to illiteracy.
• The excluded groups were beggars, regular clergy, women, and soldiers.
• Voters must be men over 21 years of age.
• The state was declared secular, separating state and church with no official religion.

Symbols of the Republic

• National symbols represent a nation and play an important role in the sense of nationality.
• The flag was inspired by the flag of the empire and features a blue circle and the phrase "Order and Progress".
• The national anthem kept the melody of the previous hymn, made by Francisco Manuel da Silva. In 1906, Joaquim Osório composed the poem used as the lyrics for the hymn.

The Black Population in the Post-Abolition Republican Period

• The black population was marginalized after abolition.
• Integration not guaranteed by the government.
• Unemployment greatly affected the ex-slaves.
• Ex-slaves often worked as cargo carriers or in civil construction.
• Housing was mostly in unsanitary tenements.
• Few black people had access to education.

"Republic of the Sword"

• Under the Constitution of 1891, the first election was indirect, carried out by senators and deputies.
• Mal. Deodoro da Fonseca was elected president and Mal. Floriano Peixoto became vice president.
• Mal. Deodoro da Fonseca's government was marked by authoritarian acts and conflict between the executive and legislative branches.
• Rui Barbosa became Minister of Finance.
• Rui Barbosa tried to implement a policy of economic development allowing private banks to issue currency and finance companies' projects.
• The "Encilhamento" financial crisis was brought on by the unregulated printing of paper money by private banks.
• Due to the economic crisis, Deodoro faced criticism from the legislative branch and decided to close Congress in November 1891.
• Members of the navy, dissatisfied with Deodoro's authoritarianism, began the 1st Navy Revolt.
• They threatened to bombard Rio de Janeiro which forced the president to resign.
• Mal. Floriano Peixoto assumes the power the Navy Revolt.
• While in office, Floriano defeated riots and criticism.
• The elites of Rio Grande do Sul disputed the state's power between the partisans of Júlio de Castilho who are the "pica-pau", versus Gaspar Silveira who is callled a "maragatos".
• Due to intense situation in the south, some sailors mutinied in September 1893 and March 1894, took ships and bombed Rio de Janeiro.
• Mal. Floriano resisted and defeated the rioters.
• The first two presidents where military personel and are thus called the "Republic of the Sword".

The Landowning Elite and the Governors' Policy

• The civilian government starts after the rule of the marshals Deodoro and Floriano.
• Commanded by the elites.
• Prudente de Morais was the first president elected by vote from 1894-1898.
• Rural Oligarchy had centralized political power in the hands of rural elites.
• During the mandate of Campos Sales from 1898-1902.
• Oligarchies put a solid alliance between the "president of the republic", and the governors in practice.

Governments of the elites:

• "Café com Leite" Politics
• Alternation of elites from "Minas" and "São Paulo" seeking presidency of the republic.
• An election was expected to have a candidate from "Minas", then at the following election there was a candidate from "São Paulo"
• Not to be confused with re-election
• They commanded politics on the interior of the state/country which used favors/threats and brute force to force people to vote for their candidates.
• "Clientelismo" - trading favors for votes
• "Voto de cabresto" - Control of the vote of the voters of the part of the "Coronel" Colonels

Taubaté Agreement

• In the early 20th century, there was a overproduction of coffee production causing a economic crisis in Brazil.
• The great amount of product in sale, the price of coffee felt to internarional and national markets.
• Due to the crisis that impactful the coffe, the governors of Minas, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro come into agreement.
• Entering into compliance that these states governments buy coffe, and avoid the fall of coffee prices.
• The goverments would store the product and sell to international places only in periods of under production.
• This was first felt in 1909.

"Tenentista" Movement

• The protection of elies ending up causing dissatisfaction by segments of society.
• Such as Doctors, Lawyers, Professors, Journalists, Workers, and Military of Low grade.
• Tennist Movement - Arthur Bernardes(Governo) and Nilo Peçanha (Oposição) was disputed in the election of 1922 (Recife).
• The ex-presidemt "Mal. Hermes da Fonseca" sides with "Nilo Peçanha" and president "Epitácio Pessoa" has him arrested.
• 300 milirary men rebel in the "Forte Copacabana", as a responce the president mobilizes over 3k soldiers to encounter them.
• Most of the riorters abandoned their forces, with only 17 going out in march on the streets with.
• In the streets only 1 civilan joined them with a total of 18 individials.
• The president forces them to act restanting only 03 revolters.
• The tenentista movement spread and manifestation ocorred in other parts of Brazil.

Coluna Prestes

• A tenentista movement led by Miguel Costa and Luis Carlos Prestes.
• Lasting from 1925 to 1927.
• The "Coluna Prestes" Movement went through the interioir or Brazil fighting the government troop.

Getúlio Vargas and the Revolution of 1930

• The elites of Minas and São Paulo have friction caused by intense disputes by political power.
• Finallizaing the "Café com Leite" politic - 1939 the state of São Paulo breaking an agreement of the state Minas.
• Minas indicating a candidate for the president being Júlio Prestes indicating to the president Washington Luis.
• "Aliança Liberal" - The state of Minas breaking from conformism and forming an aliance with "Rio Grande do Sul" and "Paraíba".
• As of that the president is now Getúlio Vargas and João Pessoa, this aliance is for both VP and candidate.
• Vitory of the government - Getúlio exit out with a lose of the electoral vote! Being Júlio Prestes reciving the position.
• Some tenentes don't accept these results and articulate themselfs on the contra side of the Goverment.
• The dealth of João Pessoa - Personaly it's an location issue of Paraíba.
• Os the integrals of "Aliança Liberal" accusasing Washington Luis passing themself for rebellion.
• President dipossit - Washington luis is dipositing an adminstrative team takijg over "Getúlio Vargas" take over office.