João Goulart

João Belchior Marques Goulart (March 1, 1918—December 6, 1976) was the last left-wing president of Brazil (1961–March 31, 1964) until the October 6, 2002 election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The Military Overthrow of Goulart

In 1964 a military coup overthrew Goulart. The main figures were Gen. Olímpio Mourão Filho, Gen. Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco and Minas Gerais' governor Magalhães Pinto. The coup installed successive right-wing hardliners as heads of state who suspended several rights and liberties of the Brazilian people. They abolished all political parties and replaced them with only two, the military government's party called the "National Renewal Alliance Party" (ARENA) and the opposition's "Brazilian Democratic Movement" (MDB). It is claimed that the MDB had no real power, and that the military rule was marked by the widespread disappearance, torture, and exile of many writers, singers, painters, filmmakers and other artists.

Related Topics:
1964 - Military coup - Olímpio Mourão Filho - Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco - Minas Gerais - Magalhães Pinto - Right-wing - Heads of state - National Renewal Alliance Party - Brazilian Democratic Movement

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The military blamed Goulart for the high inflation that had begun to occur under his predecessor's tenure, and that his plans to redistribute wealth to resolve the country's economic crisis were part of a Communist attempt on Goulart's part to establish himself as dictator. Also, members of congress resented their loss of power and also resented the pressure Goulart put on them on some occasions (like the "Comício das Reformas", Rally of reforms). The coup was described as a "democratic rebellion" by the U.S. ambassador, despite its authoritarian and violent characteristics. He also deemed Brazil the "China of the 1960s."

Related Topics:
Inflation - Dictator

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Jango Goulart fled to Rio Grande do Sul and tried to resist the coup, but was soon declared out of the presidency by senator Auro de Moura Andrade, and exiled in Uruguay. In Montevideo, the former president of Brazil was hesitant as taking part in political acts relating to Brazil. He became an administrator of agricultural bussiness. In 1973 Goulart participated in Argentine foreign affairs as a consultant.

Related Topics:
Rio Grande do Sul - Auro de Moura Andrade - Uruguay - Montevideo - 1973

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While plans for his return to Brazil started to take form, João Belchior Marques Goulart died in Mercedes, a city in Argentina, 1976.

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The U.S. Role in the Military Coup

In recent years it has been revealed that the CIA and U.S. President Lyndon Johnson actively supported the coup, fearing that Goulart would install a Communist government in the most populous country of Latin America.

Related Topics:
CIA - Lyndon Johnson - Communist - Latin America

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