Brazilian Military Dictatorship

Joao Goulart, the last civilian president before military dictatorship, was elected during a time of political and economic instability. Goulart made attempts at stabilizing the economy but failed. He made a speech on March 13, 1964 where he promised to nationalize the country's oil refineries,as well as carry out basic reforms including rent controls.The military began to seek power over Brazil after Goulart was involved in a revolt b ysailors of the Brazilian Navy. Almost two thousand sailors convened to sign a petition showing their support of Goulart's reforms. The Minister of the Navy broke up the gathering and arrested the sailors for mutiny. Goulart pardoned them and infuriated the military. In the early hours of March 31st, 1964, General Olimpio Mourao Filho ordered his troops to begin the move to Rio de Janeiro. Goulart put up a fight but in the end had no military support of his own so he fled to Uruguay. The position of presidency was declared vacant on April first and  on April 11, 1964, General Humberto de Alencar Castello Branco was elected President by the National Congress, becoming the first military president in Brazil. The military dictatorship lasted twenty years and was prominent because of economic growth, and was powered by large international loans, the increase of inflation, the dissatisfaction of the population, left-wing guerrilla activities and the repression of freedom of expression.Joao Figueiredo ruled Brazil from 1979 to1985 and was the last military president.He is credited with beginning the transition from military rule to civilian and promising the country be made democrat. Near the end of the military dictatorship, civil society ordered large political rallies to request direct presidential elections. Tancredo Neves was elected president by the National Congress and ended the military dictatorship.