First Brazilian Republic

Quick Facts: Who was First Brazilian Republic?

Subject:

First Brazilian Republic

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The period of Brazilian governance from the fall of the monarchy to Vargas's rise in 1930.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The First Brazilian Republic, also referred to as the Old Republic (Portuguese: República Velha, Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈpublikɐ ˈvɛʎɐ]), officially the Republic of the United States of Brazil, was the Brazilian state in the period from 1889 to 1930. The Old Republic began with a coup d'état led by Deodoro da Fonseca that deposed Emperor Pedro II in 1889, and ended with the Revolution of 1930 that installed Getúlio Vargas as a new president. The First Republic is divided into two historiographical periods: the Republic of the Sword (1889-1894), when it was a military dictatorship under Marshals Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto. And the second period, known as the Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930). During the latter, political power was highly decentralized and was dominated by state-level oligarchies, the country's presidency was dominated by the most powerful states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, whose political elites alternated in holding the office of President of Brazil.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The economy was predominantly agrarian and heavily dependent on coffee exports. Because of the power of these two states, based on the production of coffee and dairy, respectively, the Old Republic's political system has been described as "milk coffee politics". At local level, the country was dominated by a form of machine politics known as coronelism, in which the political and economic spheres were centered around local agrarian oligarchs, known as a "colonels", who dispense favors in return for loyalty and controlled elections, commonly by conducting electoral fraud. The country was also marked by a series of rebellions and revolutions against the ruling oligarchies, including the Federalist Revolution, the Naval Revolts, the Canudos and Contestado Wars, the Revolt of the Lash, and the Tenentist movements—which encompassed events such as the Copacabana Fort revolt, São Paulo Revolt of 1924 and the Prestes column. Political and economic tensions intensified during the 1920s, which culminated into the Revolution of 1930, when the Liberal Alliance, a force of urban middle-class, reformist politicians, dissident oligarchs from outside São Paulo and military reformists composed mostly by junior officers (known as Tenentism), deposed ruling president Washington Luís (representative of the São Paulo oligarchies) and led to the ascension of Getúlio Vargas as president, heralding the start of the Vargas Era.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the Paraguayan War, the Brazilian military gained political influence. Emperor Pedro II's worsening health gradually removed him from his active role in politics, which caused tension between the imperial elite and the military as there was no moderating force between them. Pedro II's successor, Princess Isabel, had a husband who had a controversial personality. The church had also worn down the government to some extent. In 1889, Deodoro da Fonseca, a marshal of the Brazilian Army, attended a meeting with prestigious civilian and military men who pressured him to begin a movement against the monarchy; there had been a rumor that he would be arrested.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1889: 1889 Milestone — The First Brazilian Republic, also referred to as the Old Republic (Portuguese: República Velha, Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁeˈpublikɐ ˈvɛʎɐ]), officially the Republic of the United States of Brazil, was the Brazilian state in the period from 1889 to 1930.
2. 1894: 1894 Milestone — And the second period, known as the Oligarchic Republic (1894-1930).
3. 1924: 1924 Milestone — The country was also marked by a series of rebellions and revolutions against the ruling oligarchies, including the Federalist Revolution, the Naval Revolts, the Canudos and Contestado Wars, the Revolt of the Lash, and the Tenentist movements—which encompassed events such as the Copacabana Fort revolt, São Paulo Revolt of 1924 and the Prestes column.
4. 1930: 1930 Milestone — Political and economic tensions intensified during the 1920s, which culminated into the Revolution of 1930, when the Liberal Alliance, a force of urban middle-class, reformist politicians, dissident oligarchs from outside São Paulo and military reformists composed mostly by junior officers (known as Tenentism), deposed ruling president Washington Luís (representative of the São Paulo oligarchies) and led to the ascension of Getúlio Vargas as president, heralding the start of the Vargas Era.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: First Brazilian Republic

True or False: “Did the initial coup d'état that established the First Brazilian Republic involve widespread, open armed conflict?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text specifies that Deodoro da Fonseca launched the coup d'état on November 15, 1889, which was described as bloodless and unopposed.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Adonis (poet) — Historical peer (Born in 1930) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• A. Philip Randolph — Historical peer (Born in 1889) (1889): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• Abel Gance — Historical peer (Born in 1889) (1889): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Adolphe Sax — Historical peer (Died in 1894) (1894): Belgian inventor who created the saxophone and revolutionized wind instruments.
• Albert Facey — Historical peer (Born in 1894) (1894): Australian writer and World War I veteran, best known for 'A Fortunate Life'.
• 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).

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