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Getulio Vargas: President and Dictator of Brazil

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  • I. Domestic Policy: Politics

Political Policy and Establishment of Government

  • · Wanted to dismantle the monopolistic power shared by Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo and to stop the ongoing conflicts between states
  • · Limited state autonomy by replacing elected state governors with interventors in all states but Minas Gerais.

1934 constitution

  • · Preserved the federal system and bicameral legislature but gave the president more powers
  • · Established land-ownership restrictions and a labor tribunal system
  • · Limited states’ autonomy, for ex restricting states’ ability to make their own tax system and preventing states from taxing trade with other states.

Estado Novo: Vargas established the Estado Novo in the 1937 constitution. Power was even more centralized, with states’ rights further restricted. Opposition groups’ political freedom was restricted.

  • II. Domestic Policy: Economics

Nationalism in Economy

  • · Nationalist elements in economy: National Steel Metallurgy Company, National Oil Committee to decrease dependence on foreign fuel
  • · Capitalism guided by the State

ISI and Valorization

  • · Encouraged domestic industry thru subsidies on domestic and tariffs on foreign goods to achieve a trade balance b/w exports and imports
  • · Intervention in economy for improvement: burning of excess coffee, restricted plantings, stocks withheld, diversification of economy
  • III. Rise and Fall
  • · Lost to Julio Prestes in 1930 election, led coup with Liberal Alliance (tenentes, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Pairaba)
  • · Left in 1945 when threatened by military
  • · Elected again in 1950 by popular vote because of Dutra’s inefficiencies, BUT had a difficult presidency thru complaints and injured economy, Lacerda Affair issues
  • · Military requested resignation, committed suicide in 1954
  • IV. Foreign Policy
  • · Estado Novo inspired by FDR’s New Deal and European Fascism
  • · Germany was main market for trade in WWII BUT didn’t join axis powers, loans and aid to Allies
  • · Post WWII: Vargas turned away from foreign dependence although Dutra had protected foreign interests
  • V. Cult of Personality
  • · The Father of the Poor (also the Mother of the Rich)
  • · Xenophobic Nationalism
  • · Suicide note used as political tool to destroy ambitions of enemies
  • · Overall, committed to personal agenda rather than ideology

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