It was Vargas

The Vargas Era corresponds to the period in which Getúlio Vargas (1882-1954) ruled Brazil in three moments:

1. Provisional Government :1930-1934
2. Constitutional Government :1934-1937
3. New Status :1937-1945

Provisional Government (1930-1934)

The Provisional Government was characterized by the beginning of the process of centralization of power, the elimination of legislative bodies at the federal, state and municipal levels, and the absence of elections.

New ministries were also created, such as the Ministry of Labour, Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Education and Health, both in 1930.

These measures, added to the appointment of state interveners, provoked the discontent of several states. In particular, the state of São Paulo, which took up arms against Getúlio Vargas, in an uprising known as the Constitutionalist Revolution.

After the Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932, Getúlio Vargas had to promote legislative elections and convene the Constituent Assembly to draft a new Magna Carta in 1934.

In this, there were important political changes, such as the female vote, established free and compulsory primary education, and created the Labor Court.

Constitutional Government (1934-1937)

During the Constitutional Government, the Communist Revolt, known as Intentona, takes place in opposition to the government.

The Brazilian Communist Party had been illegal since 1927 and many of its members participated in the ANL (Aliança Nacional Libertadora). However, this too would be extinct and several of its members were persecuted.

Some sectors of the PCB and the ANL try to seize power through arms and then try to articulate the Communist Intent, of 1935, directed by Luís Carlos Prestes (1898-1990). The coup did not materialize and the repression was fierce, including torture and illegal arrests by the political police headed by Filinto Müller (1900-1973).

Two years later, in 1937, Getúlio Vargas alleges that there was another communist coup attempt, known as the Cohen Plan. This will be the pretext for closing the Congress, canceling the presidential elections and annulling the 1934 Constitution.

In fact, the plan was carried out by the integralist captain and ally of Vargas, Olímpio Mourão Filho (1900-1972), and used by the government to justify the state of siege and inaugurate the Estado Novo.

New State (1937-1945)

The Estado Novo is remembered by History in a contradictory way.

The Estado Novo is considered the most repressive and dictatorial period of the Vargas Era, when the 1937 Constitution was proclaimed. At the same time, it is remembered as a golden age where labor rights were created.

The new Magna Carta extinguished the political parties, instituted the corporative regime and ended the independence between the three powers. Because it was inspired by the Polish Constitution of 1926, it was nicknamed "Polish".

Furthermore, starting in November 1937, Vargas imposed censorship on the media to prevent the media from publishing any criticism of the government.

In 1938, outraged by the centralist course that the government was taking, Ação Integralista Brasileira plans a coup. Led by Plínio Salgado (1895-1975) and Gustavo Barroso (1888-1959), the integralists try to seize power, but are defeated and their participants are imprisoned or exiled.

At the economic level, the Vargas Era was characterized by nationalization measures, as well as carrying out its labor policy with the conception of the CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws). In the legislative sphere, it established the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

Vargas Era and World War II

With the outbreak of the Second World War, in 1939, Brazil took the decision to remain neutral in the face of the European conflict.

However, in the government there were those who were in favor of supporting the Axis and those who wanted to get closer to the Allies.

Due to American pressure, Getúlio Vargas decides to declare war on Germany and, later, send soldiers to Europe and give an air base to the Americans in Natal (RN).

In exchange, loans were granted and the Brazilian Army's armaments were modernized.

See also :Good Neighbor Policy

End of the Vargas Era

The contradiction between fighting a dictatorship and living in a regime without democracy determined the beginning of the end of the Vargas Era.

Several intellectuals, student associations and even part of the military began to openly protest against the Vargas regime.

On October 29, 1945, Getúlio Vargas was deposed by a military coup and the U.DN. (National Democratic Union), being led to exile in his hometown, São Borja / RS.

However, in 1951, he would return to the presidency running for the Brazilian Labor Party (PTB). In this mandate, achieved by popular vote, he lays the foundations for the creation of Petrobras.

Vargas committed suicide at Palácio do Catete on August 24, 1954 by shooting himself in the chest. His will-letter explained the reasons for his decision with a famous phrase:"I leave my life to enter History" .

Fun facts about the Vargas Era

• Getúlio Vargas introduced the cult of personality to the leader, civic parades and the great concentrations that acclaimed him and sang together in choirs conducted, many times, by Heitor Villa-Lobos.
• The Vargas Era was marked by labor laws such as the establishment of the minimum wage, implementation of the Labor Laws (CLT) and the work card, with a 48-hour workweek and paid vacations.

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