First Brazilian Republic

First Brazilian Republic. The period from 1889 to 1930, following the overthrow of Emperor Pedro II, established a federal republic dominated by a powerful alliance of São Paulo and Minas Gerais elites. Known as the "Old Republic," this era was characterized by the "coffee with milk" political machine, agrarian export dominance, and significant social transformations including mass European immigration. Its stability was ultimately shattered by the Revolution of 1930, which brought Getúlio Vargas to power.

History

The republic was proclaimed on 15 November 1889 by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, head of a military coup that deposed the Empire of Brazil. The first constitution, influenced by the United States Constitution, was ratified in 1891. The early years witnessed severe instability, including the Naval Revolt and the Federalist Revolution in Rio Grande do Sul. The presidency of Campos Sales consolidated the oligarchic model through the "politics of the governors," ensuring control by regional elites. Key events included the Contestado War, the Canudos campaign under Antônio Conselheiro, and Brazil's involvement in World War I on the side of the Allies.

Politics and government

The political system operated under the Constitution of 1891, establishing a presidential system with direct suffrage for literate males. Real power was held by the Paulista Republican Party and the Republican Party of Minas Gerais, whose alternating control became known as "café com leite." This oligarchic rule was maintained through coronelismo, where local bosses like Pinheiro Machado delivered votes. The Army remained a potent political force, as seen in the Fonseca and Hermes da Fonseca presidencies. Opposition occasionally surfaced from the Tenentist movement, including the Prestes Column led by Luís Carlos Prestes.

Economy

The economy was overwhelmingly dependent on the export of primary commodities, notably coffee from São Paulo and Minas Gerais, and rubber from the Amazon basin. The Taubaté Agreement of 1906 institutionalized federal price support for coffee. Other significant exports included sugar cane from the Northeast and cattle ranching in Rio Grande do Sul. Major infrastructure projects, like the expansion of the São Paulo Railway, and the growth of ports in Santos and Rio de Janeiro, facilitated this export model. Industrialization began in centers like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, financed by institutions such as the Banco do Brasil.

Society and culture

The abolition of slavery in 1888 and subsequent policies prompted large-scale immigration, primarily from Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Germany, to work on coffee plantations. This transformed the demographic and cultural landscape of the Southeast. Urban centers saw the rise of a middle class and early labor movements, influenced by anarchist and communist ideas. The period was culturally vibrant, marked by the Modern Art Week of 1922 in São Paulo, which featured artists like Anita Malfatti and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Intellectuals such as Euclides da Cunha, author of Os Sertões, and Monteiro Lobato gained prominence.

End of the Republic

The republic's collapse was triggered by the rupture of the "café com leite" pact when President Washington Luís nominated another Paulista, Júlio Prestes, to succeed him in 1930, bypassing the expected candidate from Minas Gerais. This alienated key oligarchies in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, whose leaders, including Getúlio Vargas and Antônio Carlos de Andrada, formed the Liberal Alliance. Following Prestes's victory in a contested election, the Revolution of 1930, a military uprising backed by dissident elites and the Tenentists, swiftly overthrew Washington Luís. Vargas assumed leadership of a provisional government on 3 November 1930, inaugurating the Vargas Era.

Category:Former republics Category:History of Brazil