The Vargas Era (1930-1945) was a period rich in political, cultural and economic transformations in Brazil.
Therefore, it is one of the most demanded topics in Enem and in Vestibulares across the country.
With that in mind, we made a collection of 15 questions on this subject for you to review and crush your exams.
Good study!
Question 1
(Enem/2017) In the early years of the Vargas government, workers' organizations under the control of leftist currents tried to oppose their framing by the State. But the attempt failed. In addition to the government, the very base of these organizations pushed for legalization. Several benefits, such as vacations and the possibility of claiming rights before the Conciliation and Judgment Boards, depended on being a member of a union recognized by the government.
FAUSTO, B. Concise history of Brazil. São Paulo:Edusp; Official State Press, 2002 (adapted).
In the historical context portrayed by the text, the relationship between government and trade union movement was characterized
a) by the recognition of different political ideologies.
b) by a democratically constituted dialogue.
c) by the social benefits of getulismo.
d) by linking labor rights to the protection of the State
e) by legislation constructed consensually.
Correct alternative:d) by linking labor rights to State protection.
Unions were essential for the construction of workers' rights in the Vargas Era, as they became a government instrument for making labor legislation.
Alternatives A and B are wrong because there is no democracy in this period. Also C and E are not correct because the text does not mention what was written in these options.
Question 2
(Enem/2017) There are, as you know, two presidential candidates, Eduardo Gomes and Eurico Dutra, and a third, Mr. Getúlio Vargas, who must be a candidate for some hidden political group, but is also the popular candidate. . Because there are two “wants”:the “wants” of those who want to see if they continue in their positions and the “wants” popular… After all, what is Mr. Getúlio Vargas? Is he fascist? Is he a communist? Is he an atheist? Is he a Christian? Wanna go out? Want to stay? The people, however, seem to like him for that very reason, because he is “in the style of the house”.
Democracy. 16 sep. 1945. apud GOMES. B.C.; D’ARAÚJO, M. C. Getulismo e trabalhismo. Sao Paulo:Attica. 1989.
The political movement mentioned in the text was characterized by
a) demand confirmation of labor rights.
b) support the permanence of the Estado Novo dictatorship.
c) rescue the representativeness of unions under social control.
d) claim the constitutional transition under the influence of the ruler.
e) claim the participation of party associations.
Correct alternative:d) claim the constitutional transition under the influence of the ruler.
In 1945, with Brazil's participation in World War II, the internal contradictions of the Vargas dictatorship increased. Several sectors called for presidential elections and many candidates presented themselves, including Getúlio Vargas. The latter intended to remain in power, but through the vote and the Constitution.
In this matter, it is necessary to combine knowledge of history with knowledge of interpretation. The History ones help us to locate the passage in the correct context, and the interpretation ones make the student realize that Vargas changed his political profile according to his needs. This means that sometimes he supported himself in more authoritarian sectors, sometimes in more democratic ones.
Question 3
(PUC-Campinas)
The caricature reveals a moment of the so-called "era of Vargas", when Getúlio was preparing to
a) assume the presidency of the Republic, after its indirect election by the Constituent Assembly.
b) lead a military coup, establishing a historical period known as Estado Novo.
c) contest the direct elections for the presidency of the Republic, in the context of the redemocratization of the country.
d) implement the principles of the Cohen Plan, aiming to prevent the communists and integralists from advancing to power.
e) lead a constitutionalist revolution, against the oligarchy of the agro-export sector.
Correct alternative:a) assume the presidency of the Republic, after its indirect election by the Constituent Assembly.
The dialogue in the caricature reveals that Vargas still had his movements "tightened" by Congress and the opposition, something that would not occur after the 1937 coup. Therefore, the correct alternative is the letter "a", when Vargas still had his powers limited by the Constitution and parliament.
A type of question where a lot of interpretation is needed and the candidate needs to have a clear knowledge of the different phases of the Vargas Era.
The other alternatives are not correct because they do not correspond to the year 1934. The Cohen Plan dates from 1937, for example, and the Estado Novo was also instituted in 1937.
See also:Era VargasQuestion 4
(FGV/2003) On December 21, 1941, Getúlio Vargas received Osvaldo Aranha, his Minister of Foreign Affairs, for a meeting. He read some excerpts from the president's diary:“At night, I received Osvaldo. He told me that the US government would not help us because he did not trust elements of my government that I should replace. I replied that I had no reason to distrust my assistants, that the facilities we were giving the Americans did not authorize such mistrust, and that I would not replace these assistants with strange impositions.”
(VARGAS, Getúlio, Diário. São Paulo/Rio de Janeiro, Siciliano/ Fundação Getúlio Vargas, 1995, vol. II, p. 443.)
Regarding this period, we can say:
a) The US mistrust was completely unfounded because there were no Nazi-fascism sympathizers among the members of the Brazilian government.
b) With his pragmatic policy, Vargas negotiated economic advantages with the American government and maintained in his government sympathizers of the Nazi-fascist regimes.
c) Despite the similarities between the Estado Novo and the fascist regimes, Vargas did not allow any kind of diplomatic relationship between Brazil and the Axis countries.
d) In the upper echelon of the Vargas government there were a number of sympathizers of the communist regime of the Soviet Union and its leader Joseph Stalin.
e) Pressure from the US government led Vargas to dismiss his Minister of War, General Eurico Gaspar Dutra, an admirer of Nazi-fascist regimes.
Correct alternative:b) With his pragmatic policy, Vargas negotiated economic advantages with the American government and kept in his government sympathizers of the Nazi-fascist regimes.
Getúlio Vargas, from 1937 onwards, had a regime closer to fascism than liberal-democracy. However, as the war progressed, it became more difficult to maintain this position due to pressure from the Americans. Despite this, Vargas with his political skills, obtains financial aid and still maintains pro-Axis collaborators in his government.
Note that in the passage of the text itself appears Vargas' desire to leave his pro-fascist allies in government and, at the same time, obtain economic advantages from the Americans.
In History, terms such as "never", "none" and the like should not be used. These expressions are very exclusive and do not correspond to historical reality. Therefore, alternatives "a" and "c" use these words - "there were no sympathizers" and "no diplomatic relations allowed" - are not correct, as it is very difficult to be sure that there were not even Nazi sympathizers. -fascism and nor any kind of diplomatic relationship between Brazil and Axis.
Question 5
(PUC/RS) “Let's make the revolution before the people make it.” The phrase, attributed to the governor of Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos de Andrada, reveals the political ideology of the 1930 Revolution, promoted by the interests
a) of the coffee-growing bourgeoisie of São Paulo, with a view to valuing coffee.
b) of the working class, with the objective of deepening industrialization.
c) fascist right-wing parties, in order to establish a strong state.
d) of the dissident oligarchies, allied to tenentismo for the reform of the State.
e) of the industrial bourgeoisie, in search of a policy of free enterprise.
Correct alternative:d) of the dissident oligarchies, allied to tenentismo for the reform of the State.
The Old Republic was marked by the alternation between the oligarchies of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The lieutenants and representatives of the other states wanted to break with this hegemony, but without popular participation. In this way, the revolution of 30 was carried out without including the people.
Thus, alternative "b" is wrong and so are the others, especially "c", which speaks of fascist parties that did not yet exist at that time.
Question 6
(Enem/2017) During the Estado Novo, those in charge of propaganda sought to perfect themselves in the art of excitement and involvement of “crowds” through political messages. In this type of discourse, the meaning of the words matters little, for, as Goebbels stated, “we do not speak to say something, but to obtain a certain effect.”
CAPELATO, M. H. Political propaganda and media control. In:PANDOLFI, D. (Org.). Rethinking the New State. Rio de Janeiro:FGV, 1999.
Control over the media was a hallmark of the Estado Novo, being fundamental to political propaganda, as it aimed at
a) win popular support in legitimizing the new government.
b) increase the involvement of the multitudes in political decisions.
c) increase the supply of public information to civil society.
d) extend the democratic participation of the media in Brazil.
e) broadening the population's understanding of the new government's intentions.
Correct alternative:a) to win popular support in legitimizing the new government.
Political propaganda in the Vargas government aimed to win over the population and control any criticism of the government. In this way, the Estado Novo makes use of resources such as music, parties, publications and radio programs to broadcast the achievements of the Estado Novo in a boastful tone.
Therefore, the only alternative that contemplates this explanation is the letter "a".
Again, a question that combines knowledge of Brazilian history with text interpretation.
Question 7
(Enem/2018)
This image was printed in a school booklet during the Estado Novo period in order to
a) highlight the innate wisdom of the government leader.
b) meet the family's need for childlike obedience.
c) promote the consistent development of solidarity attitudes.
d) win political approval through charismatic appeal.
e) stimulate academic interest through intellectual exercises.
Correct alternative:a) to highlight the innate wisdom of the government leader.
From the Estado Novo, political propaganda will be present in all sectors of society, including education. Thus, Vargas will be portrayed as the good leader who knows how to guide his people.
The only alternative that could give us room for doubt is the letter d. However, let us note that Vargas did not need political approval, because at the moment there are no elections in Brazil.
Question 8
(Unesp) With the extinction of the National Liberation Alliance in 1935, its members, the non-moderate, organized the communist insurrection that was suppressed by the Vargas government. Tick the alternative that presents the subsequent political action related to that insurrection:
a) The anti-imperialist and anti-landlord proposal contained in the ANL program was completely abandoned.
b) Vargas, for the benefit of his dictatorial plans, exploited the fear of communism.
c) Two months after the Intentona, all political prisoners awaiting trial were released.
d) The anti-communist campaign of the ruling classes contributed to Vargas abandoning his continuity plans.
e) The rebels only surrendered after the definitive suspension of the payment of the foreign debt was proclaimed.
Correct alternative:b) Vargas, in benefit of his dictatorial plans, exploited the fear of communism.
For this question you need to know factual history, as all alternatives except "b" are fanciful. The prisoners were not released, nor did the ANL change its political program.
Only "b" correctly mentions that Vargas takes advantage of his fear of communism to reinforce his plans for a dictatorship.
See also :Cohen Plan
Question 9
(Mackenzie/2004) Getúlio Vargas was able, in 1937, to inaugurate a new government, known as Estado Novo. About this period, it is correct to say that:
a) it was characterized by the exercise of democracy and civil liberties, in repudiation of communist ideas that threatened the nation, given the intention of these revolutionary groups to come to power through a coup.
b) in the face of the communist threat, the Parliament, the State Assemblies, as well as the Municipal Chambers, began to legislate and intervene in various matters of national politics.
c) there was the imposition of an authoritarian Constitution, influenced by the fascist doctrines that prevailed in some European nations, which represented the beginning of a period of dictatorship.
d) within the new regime, thanks to the subordination of the unions to the State, which started to control the actions of workers, there was the conquest of labor rights, as a result of the good will of the business elites.
e) the international economic situation contributed to the consolidation of the Estado Novo, which, in the face of the crisis that still persisted in the coffee sector, increased its intervening role, seeking to solve the problem of national exports.
Correct alternative:c) an authoritarian Constitution was imposed, influenced by the fascist doctrines that prevailed in some European nations, which represented the beginning of a period of dictatorship.
Alternative "c" reveals what happened at the time due to the fascist movement. On the other hand, the others refer to facts that did not occur, such as "civil liberties", intervention by municipal councils, "goodwill of the elites" and the help to the coffee economy.
See also:Constitutional GovernmentQuestion 10
(Unirio/2000)
In the house of Blessed Pedro Batista in Santa Brígida, Bahia, D. Pedro II shares a space on the wall with Getúlio Vargas. This example characterizes a type of idealization of the figure of myths that were sedimented in popular memory. We can say that Getúlio Vargas enhanced an image of "father of the poor", largely due to:
(Schwarcz, Lília Moritz. The Emperor's Beards. D. Pedro II:A Monarch in the Tropics. São Paulo, Cia das Letras, 1998 p. 322)
a) populist measures, attracting the working masses.
b) revolutionary measures introduced with the agrarian reform.
c) economic restrictions imposed on Brazilian industrialists.
d) rigid restrictions imposed on the national and international bourgeoisie.
e) boastful speeches disseminated among Brazilian peasants.
Correct alternative:a) populist measures, attracting the working masses.
The urban working class was the main co-opted for the Vargas project, as labor rights did not contemplate the peasant.
Added to this, the efficient propaganda that showed Getúlio Vargas as a father, who took care of his people and who knew what they needed.
See also:Provisional Government (1930-1934)Question 11
On November 10, 1937, Getúlio Vargas addressed the population over the radio:"The presidential dispute was driving the country into disorder. The communists were infiltrating national institutions day by day. The Nation was in danger of a class struggle and political parties worried our people."
This speech inaugurates the period called:
a) New State
b) New Republic
c) It was Vargas
d) Revolution of 30
Correct alternative a) New State
The Estado Novo was established on November 10, 1937 when Getúlio Vargas denounced an alleged coup attempt by the communists, the so-called Cohen Plan.
Question 12
Read the excerpt below written by Plínio Salgado, leader of the integralist movement.
"We fight for the Integralist State. We want the rehabilitation of the principle of authority, that it be respected and be respected. We defend the family, the fundamental institution whose most sacred rights are proscribed by the bourgeoisie and by communism."
Tick the option that expresses the characteristics of integralism:
a) Political movement that defended the implantation of fascism and admired authoritarian solutions to solve Brazil's problems.
b) Set of principles that were an adaptation of German National Socialist ideas.
c) Anti-communist and anti-liberal political doctrine inspired by European fascist ideas.
d) Ideology contrary to fascism, liberal-bourgeois and approaching the ideas of the moderate left.
Correct alternative:c) Anti-communist and anti-liberal political doctrine inspired by European fascist ideas.
Integralism was an essentially anti-liberal and mainly anti-communist political doctrine, in which the resolution of social problems was defended through the extinction of political parties and the installation of an authoritarian government.
Question 1 3
Read the text below:
"The deputies of the professions will be elected in the form of the ordinary law, by indirect suffrage of the professional associations, comprised for this purpose, with the four respective related groups, in the following four divisions:farming and livestock; industry; commerce and transport; liberal professions and public workers." (Constitution of the United States of Brazil of 1934, art. 23, paragraph 3) .
The Brazilian Constitution of 1934 created the figure of the class deputy that consisted of:
a) Legislators who exercised their mandate voluntarily, according to the professional category to which they were linked.
b) Deputies appointed by the respective unions of each professional segment.
c) A parliamentarian elected indirectly by his colleagues in the profession.
d) A category of parliamentarian who acted only in a deliberative manner, without the right to vote in Parliament.
Correct alternative:c) A parliamentarian elected indirectly by his fellow professionals.
Class deputies were created from the 1934 Constitution and were indirectly elected and only by professional unions.
Question 14
By 1945, the external scenario had changed and was reflected in Brazil's domestic policy. There were more and more voices calling for the end of the Vargas regime or at least for the call for elections.
Mark the alternative that does NOT express the external change that occurred worldwide that influenced the deposition of Vargas in 1945.
a) The Allied victory in Europe on May 8, 1945 and subsequent confirmation in the Pacific.
b) The defeat of the fascist regimes in Italy and the Nazi regimes in Germany that, at least indirectly, served as inspiration for the Vargas government in Brazil.
c) The consecration of the liberal-democratic model in Western Europe in the countries liberated by the United States.
d) The survival of regimes akin to fascism such as Salazar, in Portugal; Franco, in Spain and Perón, in Argentina.
Correct alternative:d) The survival of fascist-inspired regimes such as Salazar, in Portugal; Franco, in Spain and Perón, in Argentina.
The permanence of right-wing dictatorial regimes did not influence the opposition to Vargas, as they represented the ideas they wanted to fight here in Brazil.
Question 15
Read the text below:
"The Estado Novo collected the triumphs of the 1930s by exposing in all its splendor this extraordinary transformation of the right to collective organization and action in the midst of an identity between power, law and society, so that the force promised by an increasingly mobilized society in its desire for change it was replaced by the omnipotence and effectiveness of governmental institutions and repression, both underpinned by the most brilliant invention of the period:the spectacle of identity between State and people, between the Head of State and his people." (PAOLI, M. C. The Era of the State. FOLHA DE SÃO PAULO, December 31, 1988. Folhetim. p. G-6.)
Choose the most appropriate title for this text:
a) Vargas, the Father of the Poor and the Mother of the Rich
b) The Power of Political Propaganda
c) The Glory of the New State
d) Repression and Censorship in the Vargas Era
Correct alternative:b) The Power of Political Propaganda
The excerpt exposes the strategies used by Vargas during his government to attract the support of the population, such as the construction of the identity of a president who knew how to capture the will of the people so well that it was not necessary for them to participate through elections.