A coup d'état in Brazil establishes a military government, under the aegis of general Castelo Branco.

The 1964 Brazilian coup d'état, often referred to in Brazil simply as the Golpe de 64 (Coup of '64), marked a pivotal and tumultuous moment in the nation's history. Between March 31 and April 1, 1964, a series of rapid and decisive events unfolded, leading to the forceful removal of the democratically elected President, João Goulart, by elements within the Brazilian Armed Forces. This military intervention was not an isolated internal affair; it received significant backing from the United States government, reflecting the intense geopolitical anxieties of the Cold War era. The consequences of this power seizure were profound, ushering in a long period of military rule that would reshape Brazilian society for over two decades.

The Political Chessboard: Goulart's Precarious Path to Power

A President's Resignation and a Vice President's Struggle

To fully grasp the origins of the 1964 Brazilian coup, one must look back to the political landscape of the early 1960s. President Jânio Quadros, representing the National Labour Party and supported by the conservative National Democratic Union, had won the presidency in 1960. His running mate, João Goulart, a prominent figure from the left-leaning Brazilian Labour Party, was elected Vice President in the same election. However, Quadros's presidency was short-lived and erratic; in 1961, just months after his inauguration, he resigned in a calculated, yet ultimately misjudged, political gamble. He had hoped his resignation would trigger a wave of popular support demanding his return, thereby strengthening his hand. Instead, his gambit backfired spectacularly, leaving the presidency vacant.

According to the Brazilian Constitution, Vice President Goulart was the rightful successor. Yet, Goulart, affectionately known as 'Jango', was on a diplomatic mission to the People's Republic of China at the time. This absence, coupled with his reputation as a moderate nationalist, provided an opportune moment for right-wing factions and military hardliners to launch a campaign against his ascension. They vehemently accused him of being a communist, a potent and dangerous label during the height of the Cold War. After intense negotiations, largely orchestrated by figures like Tancredo Neves, a fragile compromise was struck: Goulart would assume the role of Head of State, but the country would temporarily adopt a parliamentary system, significantly weakening his presidential powers, with Neves appointed Prime Minister.

Goulart's Return to Full Power and Mounting Opposition

Reforms and Right-Wing Fears

This uneasy truce was short-lived. In 1963, a national referendum overwhelmingly restored the presidential system, effectively returning João Goulart to the presidency with his full constitutional powers. With a stronger mandate, Goulart began to push forward with his agenda, notably the Basic Reforms Plan (Reformas de Base). This ambitious plan aimed at addressing deep-seated social and economic inequalities by proposing measures such as land reform, urban reform, and significant changes to financial and educational structures. Critically, it included provisions that had the potential to socialize the profits of large companies.

For conservative sectors of society and within the military, already wary of Goulart's perceived left-leaning tendencies, the Reformas de Base were immediately branded as a "socialist threat" and a dangerous step towards communism. These fears, often amplified by external influences and domestic political maneuvering, ignited widespread opposition. Large-scale demonstrations, such as the "Marches of the Family with God for Freedom" (Marchas da Família com Deus pela Liberdade), were organized by right-wing and conservative groups, signaling a growing crisis of legitimacy and a nation increasingly polarized.

The Coup: A Sudden Seizure of Power

The Military Takes Control, Backed by the US

The stage was set for confrontation. On March 31, 1964, the Brazilian Armed Forces initiated their coordinated move to overthrow Goulart. As military units advanced and took control of key strategic points, President Goulart recognized the futility of resistance and eventually fled the country, though crucially, he never officially resigned. The following day, with the military effectively in control of Brazil, the speaker of the Brazilian Congress swiftly moved to legitimize the coup. He declared the presidency vacant, thereby endorsing the military's actions and effectively cementing their power. This move, executed under the watchful eyes and with the tacit, and often active, support of the United States government, marked the definitive end of Brazil's democratic period.

Twenty-One Years of Military Dictatorship

A Cold War Legacy and Eventual Redemocratization

The 1964 Brazilian coup d'état did not just depose a president; it fundamentally altered the course of Brazil's political development for a generation. The military regime established in its wake was authoritarian, politically aligned with the interests of the United States, and deeply entrenched in the anti-communist ideology of the Cold War. This period of military dictatorship, characterized by repression, censorship, and the suppression of political dissent, lasted for an arduous 21 years. It was only in 1985 that Brazil began its slow return to democracy, when Tancredo Neves, the same figure who had negotiated Goulart's initial, weakened return to power, was indirectly elected as the first civilian president since the 1960 elections. The long shadow of the Golpe de 64 continues to influence Brazilian political discourse and memory, serving as a powerful reminder of the fragility of democracy and the profound impact of external pressures and internal divisions.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 1964 Brazilian Coup

What was the 1964 Brazilian coup d'état?
The 1964 Brazilian coup d'état was a military takeover that occurred between March 31 and April 1, 1964, leading to the overthrow of the democratically elected President João Goulart by the Brazilian Armed Forces, supported by the United States government. It initiated a 21-year period of military dictatorship in Brazil.
Who was João Goulart?
João Goulart, often called 'Jango', was a left-leaning Brazilian politician from the Brazilian Labour Party. He was the Vice President elected in 1960 and became President in 1961 after Jânio Quadros's resignation. His reformist policies, particularly the Basic Reforms Plan, led to strong opposition from conservative and military factions, who accused him of being a communist.
What were the "Basic Reforms Plan" (Reformas de Base)?
The Basic Reforms Plan was a set of proposed social and economic reforms by President Goulart in the early 1960s. These included land reform, urban reform, tax reform, and changes to the financial and education systems, with the aim of addressing inequality. Right-wing groups perceived these reforms as a "socialist threat."
Which countries or entities supported the coup?
The coup was carried out by members of the Brazilian Armed Forces. Crucially, it received significant political and logistical support from the United States government, which was deeply concerned about the perceived communist threat in Latin America during the Cold War.
How long did the military dictatorship in Brazil last after the coup?
The military dictatorship established by the 1964 coup lasted for 21 years, from 1964 until 1985, when Brazil began its transition back to democracy with the indirect election of Tancredo Neves as civilian president.
Why was João Goulart overthrown?
Goulart was overthrown primarily due to his reformist agenda, particularly the Basic Reforms Plan, which was seen as a "socialist threat" by conservative elements, the military, and the United States government amidst intense Cold War fears of communism in Latin America. His perceived left-leaning policies led to a loss of support from powerful right-wing sectors and the military, culminating in the coup.