Alternative History
Republic of the Federated States of Brazil
República dos Estados Federados do Brasil
Timeline: Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum
OTL equivalent: Brazil
Flag of Brazil with the Southern cross Coat of arms of Brazil (CPC)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: 
Ordem e Progresso (Portuguese)
("Order and Progress")
Anthem: 
Hino Nacional Brasileiro

Location of Brazil (CPC)
Location of Brazil
CapitalBrasília
Other cities Rio de Janeiro; São Paulo
Official languages Portuguese
Ethnic groups  Whites; Multiracial; Black; Asians; Amerindian
Religion Christianity; Irreligion; Folk religions; Islam
Demonym Brazilian
Government Federal state; Constitutional presidential republic
 -  President Marina Silva
 -  Prime Minister
Legislature National Congress of Brazil
 -  Upper house Federal Senate
 -  Lower house Chamber of Deputies
Establishment
 -  Independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves September 2, 1822 
 -  Treaty of Rio de Janeiro August 29, 1825 
 -  Proclamation of the Republic November 15, 1889 
Population
 -   estimate 201,032,714 
Currency Real (R$) (BRL)
Time zone BRT (UTC−2 to −4)
Internet TLD .br
Calling code +55
Membership international or regional organizations United Nations; Union of South American Nations

Brazil (Portuguese: Brasil), officially the Republic of the Federated States of Brazil (Portuguese: República dos Estados Federados do Brasil) is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. It is the largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world, and the only one in the Americas

Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Brazil has a coastline of 7,491 km (4,655 mi). It is bordered on the north by Colombia, Guyana, the Dutch constituent state of Suriname and the French overseas region of French Guiana; on the northwest by Colombia; on the west by Bolivia and Peru; on the southwest by Argentina and Paraguay and on the south by Uruguay. Numerous archipelagos form part of Brazilian territory, such as Fernando de Noronha, Rocas Atoll, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. It borders all other South American countries, except Chile and Patagonia, and occupies 47 percent of the continent of South America.

Brazil is a regional and middle power, having the ninth largest GDP in the world by nominal, the largest in Latin America. Brazil has the largest share of global wealth in South America and it is one of the world's major breadbaskets. However, the country retains noticeable corruption, crime and social inequality. It has a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, having been one of its founding members, as well as a member of the G20, BRICS, Mercosul, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. Brazil is also an Observer State of the Arab League.

Politics and government[]

History[]

First Sword Republic era (1889−1895)[]

Republica1889

Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, the first President of Brazil (1889–1891), proclaimed the founding of a Brazilian republic

Emperor Pedro II had advocated the abolition of slavery for decades, freeing his own slaves in 1840, but he believed slavery should be abolished in gradual manner to avoid disrupting the country's economic activities. When Pedro was away overseas, his daughter, Isabel, on her capacity as her father's regent, abolished slavery entirely in 1888. Many wealthy landowners, who previously had owned slaves, reacted against the monarchy as the result of Isabela's act. Pedro II and the Brazilian royal family were deposed on November 15, 1889 by a military coup, plotted jointly by the republicans and wealthy landowners and led by General Deodoro da Fonseca. The Republic of the United States of Brazil was proclaimed in Rio de Janeiro.

By 1891, Brazil was plunged into financial crisis due to disastrous policies, such as overprinting of money and easy credit. As the republic was not created with widespread popular support, the ruling regime maintained its existence by force. After formally being elected president on February 25, 1891, Deodoro tried to expand his executive powers to maintain national stability amidst the crisis, clashing himself with the Congress. Deodoro dissolved the Congress on November 3, 1891 which met a resistance from several parliamentarians and the Navy. The Navy, which had been eclipsed by the Army's rise of power, threatened to shell Rio de Janeiro if Fonseca does not resign. Facing a possible civil war, Deodoro resigned on November 23.

Vice President Floriano Peixoto ascended to the presidency after just nine months from the beginning of the former's administration. As with Deodoro, Floriano wanted to create a centralized government under the Army and radical republicans, in contrast to the interest of planter class. To preserve his rule, Floriano, however, allied with the planters from São Paulo to balance the liberal elite from Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. The republican constitution has mandated for a new election if the presidency became vacant sooner than two years in office. The Navy accused Floriano of ruling unconstitutionally and demanded him to step down. When Floriano suppressed this opposition, the Navy, led by Admiral Custódio José de Melo, revolted in September 1893 at Rio de Janeiro.

Gumercindo tropa

Gumercindo Saraiva (2R) and other Federalist military leaders during the Federalist Uprisings of 1893–1895.

In a separate occasion, a struggle in Rio Grande do Sul between positivist Republicans, led by State President Júlio de Castilhos, who was supported by Floriano, and liberal Federalists, led by monarchist Gaspar da Silveira Martins, erupted into a civil war in February 1893. Both rebellions became interlinked when Custódio's armada went south to join the Federalists on December 1, 1893. After a long blockade of Rio de Janeiro by the Navy, Floriano resigned and surrendered to the rebels on May 28, 1894; Custódio de Melo became interim president. The Republicans surrendered to the Federalists on June 12, 1894 when military reinforcements from the new government arrived to aid the rebels.

When Gaspar da Silveira Martins asked Princess Isabel to have her eldest son, Prince Pedro de Alcântara, to be acclaimed as new emperor in 1893, she refused; Silveira Martins rather turned to parliamentarianism. The Federalist-controlled National Congress amended the 1891 constitution in 1895 to emphasize a quasi-parliamentary system modeled after the imperial government. The President was now elected by the Congress for a six-year term, rather than be directly elected; the Vice Presidency was abolished; and the appointment of the cabinet by the President was should be confirmed by a majority in the Congress. The country's name was also changed to be the "Republic of the Federated States of Brazil."

Republic of the Oligarchs era (1895−1912)[]

Silveiramartins

Gaspar da Silveira Martins, the Prime Minister of Brazil (1895–1900)

Like the preceding imperial constitution, the amended constitution did not explicitly mentioned about the post of prime minister. However, Custódio appointed Silveira Martins as the President of the Council of Ministers on March 12, 1895. To challenge the Federalists, Ruy Barbosa, an early leader of the republic, organized the Constitutional Party (Partido Constitucional), uniting the voices of business interests of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with of the intellectuals and positivists. Barbosa personally supported Silveira Martins's efforts to establish civilian rule in the country. He, however, rejected the Federalist interpretation of the constitution, supporting presidential rule instead of ministerial responsibility.

During the successive presidencies of Custódio José de Melo (1894–1900), Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves (1900–1906) and José Maria da Silva Paranhos Jr. (1906–1912), Brazil experienced an economic boom, especially in coffee and rubber productions. Both the Federalists and the Constitutionalists shared a same attitude in promoting free market in Brazil. During this period, the national and state politicians were associated with business interests, making two parties were essentially oligarchic in nature. The Constitutionalists were tied to the interests of coffee and rubber cultures, with the bases of support in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Amazonas, while the Federalists represented the small-to-middle land owners in Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais as well as of sugar culture in Bahia and Pernambuco.

Colheita do cafe em 1930 credito theodor preising acervo museu do cafe-8882161

Coffee, mostly produced in the plantations of São Paulo as pictured, was the most important commodity of Brazil during the early years of 20th century.

By 1900, coffee harvests had been overproduced, resulting in a global excess, which resulted in lower coffee prices. Similarly, by 1910, the price of Brazilian rubber had decreased due to competition from African and Asian rubbers. Only the coffee sector was able to be preserved by limiting production with minimal government involvement, owing mostly to the political elite's steadfast dedication to a free market economy; the rubber industry, on the other hand, suffered much more. The Brazilian economy has focused in coffee culture, unable to diversify its exports, leading in the rise of coffee barons. Brazil also became more reliant on foreign loans to sustain its economy and construct infrastructure such as ports and railroad.

Under a Federalist president, José Paranhos Jr., Brazil expanded its navy to befit its newly-found status as a growing power in South America. A sailor's revolt in 1910, triggered with racial discrimination and heavy disciplining practices to the Afro-Brazilian crews, led to the ban of lashing as a method for punishment by the Congress in 1911. However, the revolt exposed the weakness of the Navy to militarily intervene the mutiny, leading to the decline of Navy's influences in the Brazilian politics. The Army, led by Marshal Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca, criticized the government's lenient treatment to the mutineers. After 17 years, power struggles between these two military branches resumed.

President José Paranhos Jr. died in office on February 10, 1912, resulting to an early presidential election by the Congress. The Constitutionalists, despite in a majority, were divided between militarist camp, led by Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca, and civilian camp, led by Ruy Barbosa. The split between the Constitutionalists resulted to the election of Federalist nominee, Senator Francisco de Assis Rosa e Silva from Pernambuco, as the President on February 15, 1912. The Federalists had promised Barbosa a post of Prime Minister prior to the election, guaranteeing several Federalists to sway their votes to Rosa e Silva. Fonseca protested the election outcome, believing it was the result of a "corrupt collusion."

Second Sword Republic era (1912−1930)[]

Hermes da Fonseca (1910)

Marshal Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca (1855–1923), the seventh President of Brazil (1912–1923).

After this dispute, the Army plotted to force the Congress to call a fresh election. The Army encircled the Chamber of Deputies building with artillery aimed at it on March 19, 1912. Battles broke out in Rio de Janeiro as the Navy acted to suppress the coup. At the verge of a civil war, Admiral José Carlos de Carvalho Jr. became new Prime Minister when Barbosa resigned on March 20. As a compromise, Rosa e Silva offered Hermes the premiership, but the Army declined. Rosa e Silva resigned after only 39 days in office. On March 25, 1912, a fresh election was held, and Hermes was elected president.

Like his predecessors, Hermes was a careful and pragmatic politician. He did not acting against the oligarchic establishment, but coopted them into his government instead. He alternately appointed individuals from São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and Pernambuco as prime ministers to maintain balance between the oligarchs. However, Hermes rejected the Federalist interpretation of the constitution, exercising many executive powers by himself rather than through his ministers. Fonseca also appointed pro-government candidates to oust the state leaders, senators and representatives in opposition to his rule.

Brazilian Soldiers First War

Brazilian cavalrymen during World War I, 1917.

During World War I, Brazil initially declared neutrality in the conflict. However, following repeated sinking of Brazilian merchant ships by German submarines, the Brazilian government, led by Prime Minister Venceslau Brás, declared war to the Central Powers in 1917. After the war's end, Brazil participated in the Paris Peace Conference, with a delegation led by Epitácio Pessoa. Brazil was also a founder of the League of Nations after the end of the war. The Treaty of Versailles allowed Brazil to keep over 70 ships that it had seized from the Central Powers during the war, and which were then incorporated into the Brazilian merchant fleet. Brazil was also financially compensated by Germany for the lost coffee shipments and ships that were sunk by German submarines during the war.

Cotonifício Crespi em 1924 visto de cima

Rodolfo Crespi cotton factory damaged by bombing by the loyalists during the revolution in São Paulo, 1924.

The election of Hermes da Fonseca marked to the return of the Army's political participation. Barbosa, who was increasingly isolated by his own party, left the Constitutional Party to form the Democratic Party (Partido Democrático) in 1913, calling for the return to civilian rule. On other hand, several elements of the Army became increasingly radicalized, especially among its junior officers (tenente). This faction, called the Tenentistas, was at odds with the rural oligarchic class that in control of national politics. While Hermes was not a progressive figure in any sense, his election paved a way to these officers to call for further reforms in the power structure, such the ban of vote buying, the implementation of secret ballot and the reform of public education.

Following the death of Marshal Hermes during his second term on September 9, 1923, the shout-out between the militarists and anti-militarists resumed. As a deal between the oligarchs of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and Pernambuco was sealed in the Congress, Constitutionalist Arthur Bernardes was elected president on September 22, 1923, returning Brazil to a civilian rule. Discontent to Bernardes's victory was one of the reasons of a tenentista's revolt in São Paulo in 1924, leading the president to bomb the city. Due to the rising armed rebellions and social unrests across the country, Bernardes imposed a state of siege for the rest of his presidency. Under his rule, Brazil also withdrew from the League of Nations in 1926.

The Progressive Thirties (1929−1939)[]

Isaías de Noronha

José Isaías de Noronha, the ninth President of Brazil (1929–1941)

Unpopularity of Bernardes's presidency led to the split between civilian camp. Anti-Bernardes Federalists, the Democrats and progressive wing of the Constitutionalists fielded a coalition against Estácio Coimbra, Bernardes's hand-picked successor. Former Minister of Navy, Admiral José Isaías de Noronha, was elected as new president on September 22, 1929 by the anti-Bernadista coalition in the Congress. Among the military leaders, Isaías was considered as having a reserved personality, a politically awkward individual with no political ambition, in contrast to his predecessors, making him a safe, compromise choice as a figurehead president.

Despite his Navy background, Isaías had a warm relation with senior Army officers. To placate the Army, the president selected a politically neutral general, João de Deus Mena Barreto, as cabinet’s chief after entering office. However, the election happened shortly before the stock market crash in Wall Street on October 29, 1929, resulting in the worldwide Great Depression. The country was heavily damaged by the crisis, as coffee prices plummeted. President Isaías was pressed to intervene to rescue the industry, but senators and deputies from Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais also spoke out in favor of agricultural diversification. On December 11, 1929, a coffee-grower alliance in Congress, primarily composed of Paulista members, attempted to depose the Barreto cabinet, but Isaías stood firm.

Liberal Alliance presidential rally, 1930

The Progressive Alliance election rally in Rio de Janeiro, February 1930.

Deputies from Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraba, and Minas Gerais rallied around the president in retaliation, denouncing the pressure as an interference with the president's powers. Isaías dissolved the Chamber of Deputies and announced a new election on Prime Minister Barreto's proposal. The pro-government politicians banded together to contest the legislative election as the "Progressive Alliance" (Aliança Progressista). It pushed for the use of secret ballots, judicial independence, amnesty for Tenentista rebels, protectionist policies for exported goods other than coffee, and protection of worker's rights.

When the Alliance returned to the Congress in majority on May 23, 1930, the president selected Afrânio de Melo Franco to form government; about a third of Afrânio's cabinet members were linked to the Tenentistas. The Progressive-dominated Congress then passed several social reform laws, including those governing retirement pensions, business establishment control, minors' job circumstances, disability insurance, and the minimum wage. The government also limited immigration to protect unionized labour from competition and destroyed excess coffee crops to keep worldwide coffee prices stable. The reforms gained popular supports from organized labour and landowners alike as well as of the Tenentistas. To continue the reforms, the Alliance became the Progressive Party (Partido Progressista) in 1932.

Intentona Comunista de 1935 - Contingente de fuzileiros navais desembarcando no Catete para guarde do Palácio

Brazilian Marines during the suppression of the left-wing insurgency, November 25, 1935.

Known as the "Progressive Thirties" (Anos Trinta Progressistas), Brazil stood out from most of its neighbors during this time for its political and economic stability, as well as the growth of broad-based social reforms. Nonetheless, Brazil was a "one-and-a-half party state" (sesquipartidarismo), with the Progressives dominating national and state politics, generating resistance from both the right and the left. In 1935, the left-wing Liberator Front, led by Luís Carlos Prestes, launched a coup attempt against the federal government. Following the government's crackdown on fascist-inspired mass movements in Brazil three years later, the far-right Integralist Party launched another coup in 1938.

World War II (1939−1945)[]

Osvaldo Euclides de Sousa Aranha, Ministro das Relações Exteriores.

Osvaldo Aranha, the tenth President of Brazil (1941–1949).

Brazil considered itself a neutral nation during the early outset of World War II. President Noronha was cautious to join the conflicts despite the developing conflicts nearby. However, it was clear that a strong pro-war sentiment arose among the government members. Foreign Minister Osvaldo Aranha emerged as the foremost pro-Allies supporter within the cabinet; he succeeded Noronha as president on September 22, 1941. Shortly after his election, Aranha visited Mayflower on October 19, 1941 and met U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to affirm the Brazilian-American cooperation.

On January 15, 1942, Germany launched Operation Paukenschlag to neutralize Allied forces in the Caribbean. Guantánamo Bay in Cuba as well as oil refineries in the islands of Curaçao, Trinidad and Aruba were attacked simultaneously by a joint German-Spanish fleets. The attack on Guantánamo Bay led the United States to officially at war with the Axis powers. In solidarity with the United States, at Aranha's request, the National Congress voted to declare war on Germany, Italy and Spain on January 18, 1942. From the end of January to August 1942, German U-boats sank 18 Brazilian merchant vessels; the spate of attacks was especially severe after June 16, when Hitler personally called for a "submarine blitz" against Brazil.

Massarosaw

Brazilian soldiers being greeted by residents of Massarosa, Italy, in late September 1944.

At the home front, Brazil famously fought against Colombia, Bolivia and Paraguay at the Amazon rainforest, a notoriously difficult terrain. War in South America was over by 1943 when Paraguay surrendered unconditionally on January 29, 1943, followed by Bolivia on July 1 and Colombia on August 22. Overseas, the Aranha government sent the Brazilian forces to help the Allies in Europe, most memorably during the Italian Campaign in 1943 and the Gibraltar Campaign in 1944. Brazil became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945 and one of the occupying powers in western Austria and western Vienna and was allocated a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council.[1] By the end of the war, Brazil emerged as an important military and economic power in South America.

Post-war reconstruction (1945−1951)[]

Miracle on the Amazon (1951−1965)[]

References[]

  1. Tosta, W. (June 7, 2009). "País foi chamado a ocupar a Áustria". Estadão. (archive). Retrieved October 22, 2023. "Um dos mais prestigiados pesquisadores das relações militares entre americanos e brasileiros, o historiador Frank McCann, da Universidade de New Hampshire, revela que o Brasil recusou gestões dos EUA para participar da ocupação aliada da Áustria após a 2ª Guerra (1939-1945)." ("Prestigious researcher of military relations between Americans and Brazilians, historian Frank McCann, from the University of New Hampshire, reveals that Brazil refused US requests to participate in the Allied occupation of Austria after World War II (1939-1945).")

Further readings[]

  • Fausto, B., & Fausto, S. (2014). A concise history of Brazil, Second edition. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-03620-8
  • Skidmore, T. E. (1999). Brazil: Five centuries of change. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-505809-7

This article is part of Cherry, Plum, and Chrysanthemum