A Triumphant Return

Getúlio Vargas ceded the presidency and allowed democratic elections in response to pressure from the military to end the authoritarian regime known as Estado Novo. That, however, did not signal a retirement from politics. Vargas’ successor, Gaspar Dutra, was popular among the armed forces and foreign investors (especially in the United States), but his policy of protecting those investors led the economy, which had been booming during Estado Novo, into crisis.

Using broad populist rhetoric, Vargas campaigned for the presidency, and in 1951 he defeated Dutra. In his second term, he moved away from Dutra’s policy of favoring foreign investment to revitalize national industry, seizing and nationalizing the oil, steel, and auto manufacturing industries. Nevertheless, the continuing economic crisis and political machinations from his enemies made for a difficult second term that ultimately drove Vargas to suicide.

Vargas is greeted by a cheerful crowd in 1954. Beginning with his campaign in 1951, Vargas worked to remove the stigma of his ouster after the regressive policies of Estado Novo by emphasizing his role as “Father of the Poor.” From Revista Ultima Hora, courtesy of the Arquivo do Estado de São Paulo.

Economic Troubles and Inflation

Suicide

On August 24, 1954, Getúlio Vargas took his own life with a bullet through the heart. His suicide was a response to the fallout from the failed assassination attempt against political rival Carlos Lacerda, for which Vargas was thought to be responsible, and to an ultimatum from the military demanding that he resign.

Vargas’ suicide note, the “Carta Testamento,” is considered one of the defining documents of 20th century Brazilian history. It addresses the citizens of Brazil, speaking of Vargas’ sacrifice to their needs and the forces that seek to destroy them, having already succeeded in destroying him.

To hatred, I respond with forgiveness. And to those who think they have defeated me, I reply with my victory. I was a slave of the people and today I am freeing myself for eternal life. But this people, whose slave I was, will no longer be slave to anyone. My sacrifice will remain forever in your souls and my blood will be the price of your ransom. I fought against the looting of Brazil. I fought against the looting of the people. I have fought bare breasted. The hatred, infamy, and calumny did not defeat my spirit. I have given you my life. I gave you my life. Now I offer you my death. Nothing remains. Serenely, I take my first step on the road to eternity and I leave life to enter history (Levine 224).

The letter had a huge effect on public opinion. While Vargas had faced opposition from a broad coalition before his death, the suicide note and his reputation as a protector of the interests of the workers produced a popular outcry so great that it destroyed the political prospects of Lacerda and others who had been working against Vargas. In the period after his death and before the coup that instated the military dictatorship, presidents focused their policies around nationalism and development?ideals that appealed to the country’s large working class. However, as had been the case during Vargas’ presidency, these ideals were hampered by the government’s need to appeal to foreign investors and domestic manufacturers, who took the place of the agrarian oligarchy, whose political influence was waining.

Crowds at Vargas’ Funeral

The uproar among the lower classes at the news of Vargas’ death was so great that it destroyed the political aspirations of his opponents on the right for years. Here, crowds react to news of his death. From Correio da Manhã, courtesy of the Brazilian National Archive.

A truck is overturned as crowds mourning Vargas’ death, angered at the state’s role in his suicide, turn violent. Courtesy of the Brazilian National Archive.

Vargas’ suicide contributed to his image as a martyr for the people, and Brazilian citizens continued to mourn his death for years after. In this photo from 1966, mourners hold a vigil, as they do every year, in downtown Rio. From Correio da Manhã, courtesy of the Brazilian National Archive.

Further Reading