BRAZIL IN DEPRESSION

Question 1

What was the Old Republic? (2)

Answer 1

1. The constitutional system that operated in Brazil from 1890-1930
2. An alliance between the coffee elites of Sao Paulo, the cattle barons of Minas Gerias, and the armed forces

Question 2

What economic problems did Brazil face in the 1920s?

Answer 2

1. The Brazilian economy was dominated by coffee production and coffee magnates controlled huge swathes of national life. In 1920, the government reintroduced valorisation whereby if coffee prices fell below a certain level, the government would buy coffee beans and store them until the market price rose again
2. Earlier mass production of rubber had declined because of more efficient South-East Asian producers entering the international markets
3. Sugar production was similarly in decline
4. Like Argentina, Brazil had concentrated on the production of primary products and had to import most of its manufactured goods and 80% of its grain. It was wholly dependent on trade with developed countries like Britain

Question 3

What political problems did Brazil face in the 1920s?

Answer 3

1. Only 5% of the adult population met the literary requirements for voting
2. The changing role of the military within politics

Question 4

What political developments occured in the latter years of the Old Republic?

Answer 4

1. The growing urban middle and working classes demanded a greater say in the running of the country, particularly in terms of modernisation
2. The army was the one national institution that combined a growing involvement in politics with the same desire for modernisation, creating common ground between the urban classes and the military against the old elites

Question 5

Why did the role of the military change after WW1?

Answer 5

1. President Epitacio Pessoa vetoed a bill to increase military spending and placed civilians to head the ministries of the army and navy; traditionally these posts were given to military personnel
2. In 1921, a charismatic general, Hermes de Fonseca, returned from service in Europe. He had the ability to unite the different military factions and was elected to be head of the influential Military Club of Rio de Janeiro