Constitutionalist Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Constitutionalist Revolution?

Subject:

Constitutionalist Revolution

Known for:

Brazilian civil war of 1932 where São Paulo rebelled against Getúlio Vargas's provisional government.

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Origins & Early Life

The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 (also known as the Paulista War or Brazilian Civil War) was the uprising by the population of the Brazilian state of São Paulo against the Revolution of 1930, when Getúlio Vargas assumed the nation's presidency. Vargas was supported by the people, the military and the political elite of Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul and Paraíba. The movement grew out of local resentment over Vargas' rule by decree, unbound by a constitution, in a provisional government. The 1930 revolution affected São Paulo by eroding the autonomy that Brazilian states had under the 1891 constitution, preventing the inauguration of São Paulo governor Júlio Prestes (who had been elected president of Brazil in 1930 and overthrowing President Washington Luís, governor of São Paulo from 1920 to 1924. These events marked the end of the First Brazilian Republic.

Career & Major Achievements

The revolution's main goal was to press Vargas' provisional government to adopt and abide by a new constitution, since Prestes was prevented from taking office. As the movement developed and resentment of Vargas and his revolutionary government grew deeper, it came to advocate the overthrow of the federal government. It was speculated that one of the revolutionaries' goals was the secession of São Paulo from the Brazilian federation. This scenario was used as a guerrilla tactic by the federal government to turn the rest of Brazil's population against the state of São Paulo, but there is no evidence that the movement's commanders sought separatism. The uprising began on July 9, 1932, after four protesting students were killed by government troops on May 23.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The movement became known as MMDC, named for the first letters of the surnames of the students killed: Martins, Miragaia, Dráusio, and Camargo; a fifth student (Alvarenga) was also shot that night, and died months later. During the following months, the state of São Paulo rebelled against the federal government. Counting on the support of the political elite of two other powerful states, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo's politicians expected a quick war. The expected support did not materialize, and São Paulo's revolt was overwhelmed by force on October 2, 1932. In 87 days of fighting (July 9 to October 4) there were 934 official deaths, although unofficial estimates report up to 2,200 dead; many cities in the state of São Paulo experienced damage.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1930: 1930 Milestone — The 1930 revolution affected São Paulo by eroding the autonomy that Brazilian states had under the 1891 constitution, preventing the inauguration of São Paulo governor Júlio Prestes (who had been elected president of Brazil in 1930 and overthrowing President Washington Luís, governor of São Paulo from 1920 to 1924.
2. 1932: 1932 Milestone — The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 (also known as the Paulista War or Brazilian Civil War) was the uprising by the population of the Brazilian state of São Paulo against the Revolution of 1930, when Getúlio Vargas assumed the nation's presidency.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Constitutionalist Revolution

True or False: “The Constitutionalist Revolution was primarily a conflict over the secession of São Paulo from Brazil.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While separatism was speculated as a goal, there is no evidence that the movement's commanders actually sought to secede from the Brazilian federation.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abebe Bikila — Historical peer (Born in 1932) (1932): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• Adolfo Suárez — Historical peer (Born in 1932) (1932): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.
• Adolf Wölfli — Historical peer (Died in 1930) (1930): Swiss outsider artist known for meticulous, symbolic, and autobiographical works.
• Adonis (poet) — Historical peer (Born in 1930) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Born in 1891) (1891): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• Ahmad bin Yahya — Historical peer (Born in 1891) (1891): Penultimate King of Yemen (1948–1962), known for conservative rule and shifting foreign alliances.
• Abraham Kuyper — Historical peer (Died in 1920) (1920): Influential neo-Calvinist pastor, journalist, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
• Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani — Historical peer (Born in 1920) (1920): Emir of Qatar (1960–1972) whose reign oversaw the nation's oil boom and independence.
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia — Historical peer (Born in 1924) (1924): King of Saudi Arabia, known for his role in modernizing the kingdom's governance.
• Ahmadou Ahidjo — Historical peer (Born in 1924) (1924): Cameroonian politician and first President of Cameroon (1960-1982).

Frequently Asked Questions about Constitutionalist Revolution