Bolsonaro, a far-right populist, was elected on a wave of discontentment with Brazil’s traditional politicians. A stumbling economy, rising crime rates, and huge corruption scandals served to diminish confidence in traditional parties, such as the PT and the PSDB. Bolsonaro stitched together a coalition of supporters including Evangelical Christians, the country’s politically powerful agribusiness magnates, … Week 16 – Trump, Bolsonaro, and Brazil-US Relations

During Dilma Rousseff’s tenure (2011-16), Brazil’s foreign policy goals were largely a continuation of Lula’s. However, increased domestic troubles made international engagement less of a priority for Dilma. Dealing with a stagnant economy, corruption scandals, and political turmoil, Rousseff had to dedicate more attention to domestic matters. Thus, the level and scope of Brazil’s engagement … Week 15 – Rousseff, Obama, 2016, and its Aftermath

Starting with the Geisel government, Brazil increasingly sought to establish leadership among the Global South through increased bilateral relations as well as action in multilateral forums. During Lula’s presidency, his leftism and a stabilized democratic regime collaborated to boost Brazil’s actions in that direction. Multiple agreements were signed with other Global South countries, especially in … Week 14 – Lula and a Turn to the Global South

After Brazil’s return to democracy, Fernando Henrique Cardoso (or FHC) was the first President to stay in office for two full terms and thus develop a distinct platform and reputation. A longtime social sciences scholar who had briefly headed the Ministry of Foreign Relations during the previous administration, FHC had helped build the Party of … Week 13 – FHC and the United States in the Era of Globalization

Washington was quick to recognize the military coup in 1964. During the initial years of the new regime, public opinion in the U.S. was favorable to the generals and saw military rule as a genuine salvation of Brazil from a communist threat. While this was clearly far from the truth, news coverage in the United … Week 12 – Culture, Human Rights, and Grassroots Foreign Policy

For this week, students should access the Opening the Archives website, look for five related documents, and write a 3-page analysis of the documents. The analysis should be e-mailed to Professor Green the day before the seminar session. Students will make brief presentations on the topic and materials they analyzed. How to use the archive … Week 11 – Open the Archives Workshop

Angra 1 nuclear plant during construction, and the Itaipu Dam on the Brazil-Paraguay border Brazil’s military came to power in 1964 with overtly pro-U.S. positions, and with American support for the overthrow of Goulart. Eager to elevate “national greatness” and Brazil’s international standing, the regime moved to participate in the U.S.-backed international intervention in the … Week 10 – The Military’s Foreign Policies and the United States

U.S.-Backed housing project in Rio de Janeiro Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Seal from 1963 The Alliance for Progress was based on a perceived shared desire for cooperation in Latin America. However, from the outset, it was clear that North Americans and Latin Americans had different conceptions of the nature of said collaboration. The U.S. held … Week 9 – The Alliance for Progress

Robert Kennedy during visit to Brazil João Goulart The Kennedy presidency, along with Brazil’s Janio Quadros, brought about hopes for renewed synergy between the two governments. Kennedy seemed much more open to providing Brazil with government-to-government aid, and the Quadros administration seemed more open to making the austerity reforms long championed by the United States. … Week 8 – Goulart, Gordon, and the 1964 Coup d’État

Alô, Amigos’ (1941). RKO RADIO PICTURES INC (El País) Unidades do 2 Escalão da FEB desembarcam na Italia, 1944 (CPDOC)  During World War II, both the United States and Brazil attempted to use the extraordinary times to change the nature of the relationship between the two nations. At first refusing to align with either the … Week 6 – Brazil, the United States, and World War II