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The Unfinished Republic
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 December 2015
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The celebration of the centennial of the Brazilian Republic (1889-1989) was marked by a few events of academic or civic nature and no enthusiasm whatsoever. It has been observed that the bicentennial of the French Revolution aroused more interest in the people of Brazil. The reasons for this are not difficult to understand. Two seem to have particular relevance. First, is the recent memory of a military regime (1964-1985) in the minds of the people. The proclamation of the Republic on 15 November 1889 is generally held to be the making of the Brazilian military; it would be somewhat embarrassing to celebrate the actions of yesterday's enemies.
The second reason relates to the disappointment felt among the populace with the New Republic—the name given to the civilian government inaugurated in 1985. The New Republic rode in on the crest of huge mass demonstrations, the most impressive ever to take place in the country. These people called for the end of military rule and the direct election of a civilian president. In 1985 a civilian president took over, although not chosen by direct election, and a constituent assembly drafted a new constitution. Freedom of the press was restored and the people lived in great hope that a new era had finally dawned for the nation. Four years later, in 1989, a new constitution was in effect, and the fundamental precepts of a democratic system—the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary branches of government; a free press; multiple political parties; and a politicized populace—were all in place.
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References
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4 The Fonsecas formed a real clan within the army. Deodoro had no sons, but there were plenty of brothers and nephews at all levels of the military hierarchy. Captain Pedro Paulo, his nephew, is reported by some sources to have ordered the doors of the headquarters opened for his uncle. On the effort of these officers to establish their version, see Senna, Ernesto, Deodoro: Subsídios para a História (Brasília: Ed. Universidade de Brasília, 1981, 2nd. ed.), p. 119.Google Scholar
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