Talk:João Goulart
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I would really like to see some citations concerning CIA warships off the coast of Brazil during the military coup of 1964.P97dav45 22:33, 9 September 2006 (UTC)
João Goulart was a farmer. He was born in São Borja, a very large but unpopulated town in Brazil-Argentina border. São Borja was a politically active city since the 1920s. The "Prestes Column" (some army batallions that wandered the country, fighting all kinds of unequalty and barbarisms, between 1925 and 1927), departed from São Borja. The man who overthrew the "Old Republic" (a corrupt and anachronic type of Republic, that existed in Brazil from 1889 to 1930), Getulio Vargas, was born in São Borja.
João Goulart was the same kind of man of Vargas - he was a rich farmer who involved in politics. He depended on popular support to keep his power. And he did some "populist" reforms, so the people would support him. And, just like Vargas, Goulart expected that, when he could not get something approved in the Senate, he could count on people pressure to make things work.
Goulart was always involved on polemics. He was the Minister of Labor durin the Vargas 1950-1954 government. Getúlio Vargas had to fire him after the "Minimum-wage scandal". The country almost crumbled in civil war, just because Jango wanted to give the workers a 100% salaries raise. All wages would double! But that was a good idea. By that time, Brazil had almost no inner-market - the consumers were too poor and could not buy anything. The salaries raising would be good for economy. But right-wing politicians were against the idea, and president Vargas had to fire João Goulart before the whole government was overthrown.
After Getulio´s death in 1954, João Goulart was elected vice-president, during the rule of president Juscelino Kubitschek. Both were almost overthrown by the military. But, in the last moment, general Henrique Teixeira Lott, commander of the 3rd Army (the Army of Rio Grande do Sul state), mobilized his forces, ready for war. The generals who commanded other states divisions did not wanted to start a bloodbath (the whole south population was going to join the 3rd Army).
Then Juscelino and Goulart stayed in power from 1955 to 1960. In 1960, the populist "fennomenon" Jânio Quadros was elected president. João Goulart was once again elected for vice-president. (At that time, brazilians could vote for president and vice-president of different parties).
Jânio Quadros was a fennomenon. He was elected with the greatest number of votes ever (until then, of course). But his "friends" did not have the same luck: He was the president, but had almost no power. He had no allies in the Senate. But Janio had his most weird idea: he gave the highest honor medal of Brazil to the communist leader Che Guevara, and sent João Goulart to China. Then, he renounced his power. Janio tought that, being Goulart suspect of communism, the military would call his back to presidency, with dictatorial powers.
But Janio´s plan failed. The military tried to avoid João Goulart from becoming president. Another civil war was almost started. The population of Rio Grande do Sul prepared for war, and the army tried to bomb the Piratini Palace (building of the Rio Grande do Sul state government). The population rushed to the palace and the bombers had to retreat. João Goulart became president, and started his populist Vargas-like way of ruling.
In March 1964, the situation of all people was not good. Payments were too short, and economic crisis was thrownig the entire country into the risk of civil war. But Goulart had the solution. He made a speech announcing that he would do land distribution, wages increasing and some updates on work and taxes laws.
The military did not like the João Goulart´s ideas and there were several talks in the generals´ rooms, all about a possible coup to overthrown Goulart. But nothing was really happening. the troops in Rio de Janeiro were ready for the attack, and even the general of Rio Grande do Sul was neutralized. Everything was ready. But the military did not advance on their intent. Maybe, the idea was just of scaring Goulart, forcing him to give up from his left-wing plans.
But, in Minas Gerais state, when no one expected, general Olimpio Mourão Filho started to march forth to Brasilia (the capital). When the generals in Rio de Janeiro knew of Mourão´s attack, they had no choice but joining him. There was no way back, and no way to stop the whole thing. Even the generals who were not ready for the coup had to put their troops to march. On April 1st 1964, João Goulart was overthrown. He feld to Porto Alegre, capital city of Rio Grande do Sul state.
In the south, Leonel Brizola, the governor, offered protection to Goulart. The people was ready or battle. And the 3rd Army also joined Goulart´s side. Porto Alegre became the new "legal" Brazil capital for a few days and the southern forces were ready to fight and resist the coup. But João Goulart did not wanted to start a civil war. He was also more "mature" than Brizola, who was willing to fight until falling death. This bloodbath was avoided. The 3d Army returned to the barracks and the people left their weapons in the closet.
João Goulart, Leonel Brizola and many left-wing politicians left Brazil on April 1964. Goulart died of heart attack in Uruguay.
Brizola returned to Brazil in 1982. It is said that Brizola still has João Goulart´s "President´s Belt".
--- Fábio Burch Salvador - Brazil
From the 5th paragraph: "Also, the congressmen was ressented with loss of power and pressure made by Goulart in some occasions (like the "Comício das Reformas", Reform's rally)."
I'm trying to clean up the article, but I'm not sure what this sentence means. crazyeddie 18:25, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)
What political parties were involved? Could Quadros be described as a conservative? Also need more information on Goulart's reforms. crazyeddie 18:45, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)
