Robert M. Levine: Summary

Robert M. Levine, an American historian and author, affirmed that “In a very real sense, we can say that modern Brazil was born in 1930 and came to maturity on August 24, 1954”. Levine is speaking of Getulio Vargas coming to power in 1930, and committing suicide on August 24, 1954. Vargas was an extremely influential leader to the Brazilian nation, and created a sense of unity amongst the country. Vargas’ regime did not only conjoin the nation, it initiated the modernization and industrialization that was necessary for Brazil. Levine is correct in stating that modern Brazil was born at the beginning of Vargas’ term, and came into maturity when he died, for it was Vargas who founded Brazilian nationalism. Prior to Vargas coming into power,

On November 3rd, 1930, Getulio Vargas came into power. Vargas was an extremely charismatic leader, that with great confidence ensured citizens Brazil would achieve prosperity, and unity. Under Vargas’ regime, there was a large emphasis on “Brazilianation”, or making the entire population, including immigrants, more Brazilian. Brazilian history and culture was taught in schools, and Brazilian symbols were displayed as a form of nationalism. This campaign attempted to force assimilation, and required Brazilian teachers to teach at immigrant schools, as well as required translations on Japanese and German newspapers. Later, immigrant schools and publications were shut down by Vargas’ administration. Vargas raised the military budget by 49% and, unlike the old republic, the federal military received a considerable role of power. On November 10th, 1937, Vargas read the constitution on the radio broadcasting the birth of the “New State”, or the Estado Novo. The Estado Novo was largely influenced by fascism, and the new state of Fascism that had recently been recently created by Portugal. This new state was not a democracy, or a republic, rather was entirely governed and strengthened by Vargas himself. The press was extremely censored, as were schools and what school teachers could teach. The purpose of this

Vargas increased minimum wage laws, and working class citizens favored and benefited from his policies. Many civilians viewed Vargas as the “chief organizer of the country”, and appreciated him for the efforts he made to assist the poor. Joana De Masi Zero’s excerpt from “Five Lives Affected by Vargas-Era Reforms”, praised Vargas and his regime stating “Many people said that he was a dictator, but he did many things for us workers. His labor laws were good…Every time the politicians changed the laws they took more from us. Getulio’s time was good; later, I don’t know…They say he was a dictator, but for us he was good” (Joana De Masi Zero, Fives Lives Affected by Vargas-Era Reform, 220). Vargas is honored in other publications such as, “Gauchos Take the Obelisk”, when it is anonymously noted that “Vargas and a new group of military and civilian allies quickly proceeded to construct a state apparatus that put a strong federal imprint on agricultural production, health and education, culture, and labor policy, among other fields of public administration” (Gauchos Take the Obelisk, 186). Vargas’ administration called attention to the beautification and modernization of cities, and Vargas had large aspirations of modeling Brazil after the robust world powers. In Rio de Janerio, Vargas prioritized