Between 1889 and 1930, Brazil experienced significant political and economic instability due to its total dependency on coffee exports. The Great Depression had a major impact on Brazil's economy, with coffee prices falling and external debt reaching 1.3 billion. In 1930, Getulio Vargas came to power through a bloodless coup, establishing an authoritarian regime called the Estado Novo and prioritizing industrialization. Vargas ruled as a dictator from 1937 to 1945, repressing opposition and censorship. Though Brazil declared war on Germany in 1942, Vargas ensured the US had control over the military to focus on industrial growth aided by US investment during World War 2.