This document summarizes Brazil's transition from military authoritarianism to democracy between 1964-1989. It outlines the key leaders and events during the military regime including controlled two-party system and restrictions on opposition. It then discusses the challenges faced by the new civilian government in the 1980s including economic issues and traditional political elites resisting change. The transition culminated in the elections of 1989 where Fernando Collor narrowly defeated Lula, marking the establishment of a new democratic order.

1. BRAZIL
FROM MILITARY
AUTHORITARIANISM
TO THE NEW
DEMOCRACY (1964-
89)

2.  Constitutional Act?
 “Soft”
demobilization of
the most militant
Vargas forces
 Elections of 1966
◦ Pro-Vargas forces
victorious
◦ Results not allowed
to stand

3.  Controlled two-party system
(Constitution of 1966)
◦ ARENA
◦ PMDB
 After 1979 the “controlled two party
system” begins to favor the opposition
◦ Legalization of additional political parties
◦ Electoral laws discriminate against large cities

4.  Arturo Costa e Silva
(1966-69)
◦ Initially straddling the
middle
◦ Removal following a
stroke
 Emilio Garrastazú
Medici (1969-74)
◦ Nationalism
◦ Economic growth
◦ OBAN – Dark Side

5.  Ernesto Geisel (1974-79)
◦ Economic growth slows
◦ Assertion of government control over shadowy
terror apparatus
 João Figueiredo (1979-85)
◦ Dividing of the opposition
◦ More economic difficulties
◦ Designing an exit strategy

6. Castelo Branco
(1964 – 1967)
Costa e Silva
(1967 – 1969)
Emílio Médici
(1969 – 1974)
Ernesto Geisel
(1974 - 1979)
João Baptista Figueiredo
(1979 - 1985)

7.  International investors felt
insecure/feared blowup Catholic Church
and the base communities
 Modernized sectors lost faith in
capability of the military to develop the
country
 Neighborhood organizations in the
favelas of the large cities
 Women as opponents of the military
government

8.  Rural Northeast remained a stronghold of
anti-democratic forces

9.  Large land-owners control the countryside
 Politicians allied with military control state
governments
 Violence against lower classes more
prevalent than in rest of the country

10.  Short-lived triumph of Trancredo Neves
◦ Split between Northeast traditionalists and
business community of São Paulo
◦ Military fearful of domestic insurgency
 José Sarney: a second accidental
presidency
◦ Led ARENA political party in the senate during
military regime
◦ “Political Godfather” of the Northeast

11.  José Sarney: a second accidental
presidency
◦ Transitory economic recovery
◦ Economic downturn of 1986/87
 Writing a new constitution (1987-88)
◦ Constitutional convention dominated by
traditional political class
◦ Two rounds of voting for president if no
candidate has first round majority
◦ Senate & Chamber of deputies favors
traditional areas of the country

12.  Fragmented left coalesces
◦ Brizola’s geographically constrained base
◦ Lula and the PT make strides toward creating a truly
national political party
 The Right hangs on
◦ GLOBO & Fernando Collor
◦ Regional leaders in control of congress

13.  Fernando
Collor
(53%)
 Luis
Ignacio
“LULA” de
Silva (47%)