Artur da Costa e Silva

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Artur da Costa e Silva

Role / Field:

Brazilian military leader who presided over the harshest phase of the 1964 dictatorship.

Born:

1899-10-03

Died:

1969-12-17

Century / Era:

1899s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Artur da Costa e Silva (Portuguese: [aʁˈtuʁ dɐ ˈkɔstɐ i ˈsiwvɐ]; 3 October 1899 – 17 December 1969) was a Brazilian Army Marshal and the second president of the Brazilian military government that came to power after the 1964 coup d'état. He reached the rank of Marshal of the Brazilian Army, and held the post of Minister of War in the military government of president Castelo Branco. His administration, following the enactment of Institutional Act 5 (AI-5), marked the beginning of the harshest and most brutal phase of the military dictatorship, which was continued by General Emílio Garrastazu Médici, his successor. AI-5 granted him the power to shut down the National Congress, remove politicians from office, and institutionalize repression in response to the growing opposition to the regime. This repression was carried out through both legal and illegal means, including the torture of civilians.

Career & Major Achievements

Costa e Silva's government was also characterized by a 15.72% growth in GDP (an average of 7.86%) and a 10.68% increase in per capita income (an average of 5.34%), thanks to the Government Economic Action Program (PAEG). Costa e Silva took office with inflation at 25.01% and left it at 19.31%, during a period known as the Brazilian economic miracle, which lasted from 1968 to 1973. Costa e Silva was born in Taquari in Rio Grande do Sul state on 3 October 1899. While several sources erroneously suggest that Costa e Silva's parents were Portuguese from Madeira, both his parents were Brazilians, although one of his great-grandparents was a Portuguese immigrant from Lisbon. Costa e Silva began his military career by entering the Military College of Porto Alegre, where he finished first of his class and commander of the cadet corps.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He then entered the Military School of Realengo in Rio de Janeiro in 1918, where he finished third of his class. Made an aspirant on January 18, 1921, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1922 and was stationed with the 1st Infantry Regiment in Vila Militar until 5 July 1922, when he was involved in Tenentist rebellion and imprisoned for six months. He then married Iolanda Barbosa Costa e Silva, an officer's daughter. As part of a joint program, he was trained in the United States of America from January to June 1944, after having been an assistant instructor of general tactics at the School for Command and the Army General-Staff. He served as a military attaché in Argentina from 1950 to 1952, and was then appointed to command the 3rd Military Region (Rio Grande do Sul) from 1957 to 1959, and to command of the 4th Army (Pernambuco) from August 1961 to September 1962.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1899 (1899-10-03): Birth of Artur da Costa e Silva — Brazilian military leader who presided over the harshest phase of the 1964 dictatorship.
2. 1918: 1918 Milestone — He then entered the Military School of Realengo in Rio de Janeiro in 1918, where he finished third of his class.
3. 1921: 1921 Milestone — Made an aspirant on January 18, 1921, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1922 and was stationed with the 1st Infantry Regiment in Vila Militar until 5 July 1922, when he was involved in Tenentist rebellion and imprisoned for six months.
4. 1944: 1944 Milestone — As part of a joint program, he was trained in the United States of America from January to June 1944, after having been an assistant instructor of general tactics at the School for Command and the Army General-Staff.
5. 1950: 1950 Milestone — He served as a military attaché in Argentina from 1950 to 1952, and was then appointed to command the 3rd Military Region (Rio Grande do Sul) from 1957 to 1959, and to command of the 4th Army (Pernambuco) from August 1961 to September 1962.
6. 1968: 1968 Milestone — 31%, during a period known as the Brazilian economic miracle, which lasted from 1968 to 1973.
7. 1969 (1969-12-17): Passing & Historical Legacy — Artur da Costa e Silva passed away on 1969-12-17, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Artur da Costa e Silva

True or False: “Did Artur da Costa e Silva's administration immediately end the period of high inflation that characterized Brazil in the late 1960s?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he reduced inflation from 25.01% to 19.31%, this reduction occurred during a broader 'Brazilian Miracle' economic boom.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1899 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1899
• October 3 (10-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 3
• 1969 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1969
• December 17 (12-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 17

Frequently Asked Questions about Artur da Costa e Silva