From Colony to Democracy

Independence  1807 the Portuguese court moved from Lisbon to Brazil  Napoleon (France) moved against Portugal  King returned home  Pedro, son, left in charge and led Portugal in its independence  1822 Pedro is first emperor  Society & economy organized as it had been under colonization

Pedro II  Led Brazil in war against Paraguay (5 years)  Barely won  Showed division between military and government  Allowed slaves to fight  Abolished slavery  Major part of agricultural economy  Abolished in stages  No compensation to slave owners  Led to increased poverty

A new Brazil  1889 bloodless coup overthrew Pedro II  Military generals now controls the country  General population excluded from politics  Immigration increased – changed the culture  “Europeanize” Brazil  Industry grew trough private development  Led to urbanization  Slums  Low wages, informal sector

Vargas Era  1930 military overthrew the newly elected government & Getulio Vargas took over  Wrote a new constitution  Established a dictatorship  Government coordinated all economic activity  Suppressed the rights of workers  Supported the Allies during WWII

Stabalization  1950 economy lagging  Nation accepted loans from the World Bank (IMF)  Had to create an economic stability plan  Implemented financial policies that sought to decrease spending & increase revenue  Led to lower waged and higher unemployment

1960s  Continued to borrow money through the World Bank  1964 military took over government  Introduced repression and censorship  Regulated media, all press, music/art, education  Civil liberties were limited  Feared communist takeover  Used tutor and exile on anyone suspect  Aided by CIA

Economic Growth  Debt amounted to $215 billion  Agriculture experimented with new crops  Industry focused on global production  Government infrastructure projects  Wealth remained with few

1984  Read handout – identify and discuss the issue with your partner

Setting  The year is Brazil has been plagued by poverty, limited rights, and now the execution of Vladimir Herzog and others. Citizens across Brazil are joining forces in a campaign for democracy.  You are at a dinner party in a crowded room. You meet a fellow reformer. You both want to share your views on what should happen with the government of Brazil, but fear that you will be overheard. Knowing you will only have a short time together you move to a small table on the far side of the room.  You take part in a silent debate. During the debate you argue to persuade your fellow citizen to agree with your views on a government for Brazil. You are convinced that your perspective is best for the country. Of course, the other citizen believes strongly in his views and will try to persuade you to his side. 

Silent Debate During the “silent debate” you may not talk at any time. You will write to each other on the same sheet of paper that will be passed back and forth when you are told to pass it. In the roles of government reformer you will address each other’s questions, concerns, answers and opinions on the situation in Brazil and what is the best possible outcome of the election. You will be given a set amount of time to write (about two minutes each time the paper is passed – this may vary.) After the first person writes a note to his or her debate partner - he or she will pass the paper to the partner who will write a response and make their own statement. The student who is not writing will sit quietly and think of what he or she might want to write next.

Preparations for Debate You want to perceive past events and issues as they were experienced by people at the time, to develop historical empathy as opposed to present-mindedness. In this debate you do not know the rest of the story! It is You do not know what government will gain control, what the results will turn out to be in the future.  Study and analyze the background information (based on primary sources) for your assigned policy option.  Prepare to take part in a “silent debate” with a partner who will defend an opposing policy.  Take a moment to review the Option in Brief Overview so you will be familiar with the other three possible view points.

During the debate…  Clearly state your position  Acknowledge the other side  Make at least two historical arguments  Reference at least twice the history of Brazil

What happened…  The Brazilian Democratic movement won the election…but a month later the new president died  Former military political leader, Jose Sarney, took over  Wrote a new democratic constitution and held the first democratic election in 1989  Is considered a contributing event to the spread/push for democracy as the Cold War ended  Brazil is still in an impoverished nation  Available wealth limited  Social advancement limited (education)  Political corruption