| |
| 1933 |
| |
| The government introduced a program of economic rehabilitation, with numerous social and political reforms. | 1 |
| |
| 1934, July 16 |
| |
| One such reform was a new constitution, which, although similar to the Constitution of 1891, decreased the autonomy of the states vis à vis the federal government. The president and bicameral legislature were to be directly elected, and some modest restrictions were put on foreign ownership of land and participation in the economy. The constitution also legally recognized unions and the right to strike, allowed the government to fix minimum wages, and established a labor tribunal system. Later decrees introduced social security, an eight-hour workday, educational innovations, and civil service reforms. | 2 |
| |
| 1934–37 |
| |
| Vargas elected president by the constitutional assembly. Economic conditions gradually improved, but social and political unrest reached a fevered pitch. Among the industrial and plantation workers radical and Communist propaganda made marked progress, while among the middle classes a Fascist (Intergralista) green shirt movement gained many adherents. The Communist Party had ties to Moscow and the Comintern, while the new Nazi government in Germany promoted Fascism and pro-Nazi sentiment. Agents of the Third Reich actively spread propaganda among the many German immigrants in the southern provinces. Barter arrangements with Germany yielded greatly expanded trade between the two nations. | 3 |
| |
| 1935, Nov |
| |
| A revolt of Communists and some military radicals, led by Luis Carlos Prestes, broke out in Pernambuco and then in Rio de Janeiro. This uprising by the “National Liberation Alliance” (ANL), though suppressed within a week, gave the government an excuse to introduce martial law. The president was granted almost dictatorial powers, strict censorship was inaugurated, and special tribunals were set up to try Communist leaders. Vargas used this process to suppress Brazil's independent labor unions as well. | 4 |
| |
| 1937, Nov. 10 |
| |
| Vargas canceled upcoming presidential elections and declared himself dictator of an ESTADO NÔVO. A new constitution gave the president full dictatorial powers, dismantled the local political machines, and established a corporative state structure (including a national economic council). The president announced that the new regime was not Fascist, but in both its name and its constitution it appeared strongly influenced by the Fascist regimes of Portugal and Italy. Vargas did outlaw the Intergralista movement, along with all other political parties. | 5 |
| |
| 1938, May 11 |
| |
| An Intergralista rising was put down by the government without much difficulty. | 6 |
| |
| 1939, March 9 |
| |
| Brazil concluded a series of agreements with the U.S., thereby obtaining financial aid and support in the work of general economic development, including expansion of the modern steel industry. | 7 |
| |
| 1942, Jan. 28 |
| |
| Brazil broke off diplomatic and trade relations with the Axis nations. | 8 |
| |
| Aug. 11 |
| |
| The U.S. and Brazil agreed to set up a joint defense board, similar to those established with Canada and Mexico. | 9 |
| |
| 1943 |
| |
| After declaring war on the Axis in Aug. 1942 (See 1943, Jan. 29), Brazil agreed to send troops to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in Italy. Citing the country's state of war, the Vargas regime suspended or ignored much of the labor legislation it had recently issued in the “Consolidation of Labor Laws” (CLT). | 10 |
| |
| Feb. 6 |
| |
| Brazil announced its formal acceptance of the declaration of the United Nations. (See Brazil) | 11 |
| |
| |
