Many people fought and died to secure democracy. Thanks to this ideal, the human being has conquered one of the most important assets he could have: his freedom!
But it was not always so…
Check out some of the most memorable episodes from fight for democratic rights in Brazil and in the world!
1. Direct now!
One of the biggest blows against Brazilian democracy was the establishment of 1964 military regime, when the nation came under the command of successive military governments.
Restrictions on civil liberties and numerous unconstitutional acts marked this period that lasted for more than two decades in Brazil.
A political-social movement that became known as “Diretas Já” was born from the dissatisfaction of the Brazilian population. formed predominantly by young people of the time, who claimed the possibility of direct elections for President of the Republic in the country.
Thanks to the Diretas Já movement, Brazil was able to move towards redemocratization, with the conquest of civil power in 1985. And as a consequence, another important achievement of Brazilian democracy took shape: the
Federal Constitution of 1988.Direct elections for President of Brazil from the “New Republic” were finally held in 1989, with the election of Fernando Collor.
See also: the meaning of Military dictatorship and of the Direct now.
2. 1988 Constitution
After the struggle for the end of the military dictatorship, which lasted for more than 20 years in Brazil, the movement of “Diretas Já” helped to reinforce the decline of the totalitarian regime and opened space for re-democratization in the parents.
The Federal Constitution of 1988 - also known as "Citizen Constitution" - is a milestone for the consolidation of democracy, as it is mainly based on the guarantee of civil rights, valuing the physical and intellectual freedom of all citizens.
Among some of the main democratic advances that the Constitution of 1988 brought, the following stand out:
- End of censorship of the media;
- Implementation of the Unified Health System (SUS) throughout the national territory;
- Ensuring the demarcation of indigenous lands;
- Ensuring environmental protection laws;
- Institution of direct elections in two rounds, if no candidate manages to obtain a majority of valid votes;
- Greater autonomy of municipalities;
understand better what is a constitution.
3. French Revolution
It is one of the most important milestones in the democratic struggle in human history, serving as an example for many later social movements that shook the world during the modern age and contemporary.
The French Revolution began at the end of the 18th century and consolidated itself as a fight against authoritarianism and state arbitrariness, headed by the absolute power of King Louis XVI.
Driven by Enlightenment, the French Revolution guaranteed the emergence of the first principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, through the approval of the Declaration of Human and Citizen's Rights, in 1789.
Learn more about the meaning of Enlightenment.
In fact, to get an idea of the importance of this movement for the construction of current democracy, the Declaration of Human and Citizen's Rights served as the basis for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document promulgated by the United Nations (UN) and which guarantees the basic rights of all human beings.
To learn more, see also the full meaning of Human rights.
4. Civil Rights Movement in the United States
Even with the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it was noted that the guarantee of “freedom, equality and fraternity” was not equal for all people…
A great example is the struggle that the black American community waged during the 1960s to guarantee its civil rights.
The main objective of the black civil rights movement in the United States, for example, was that the state approve reforms that value racial equality, abolishing discrimination and segregation of races.
One of the most important personalities of this movement and who has become a historical symbol of the struggle for civil rights of African Americans was Martin Luther King.
Luther King immortalized himself with the moving speech “I have a dream”, considered one of the best of all time.
After years of demonstrations and struggle, the African American community finally saw its demands accepted by the government.
THE Civil Rights Law of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act 1965 were two great milestones for the conquest of blacks to the right to enjoy full democratic freedom.
Enjoy and also see the 5 most important moments in the fight against prejudice and racism and examples of social movements!
5. Fall of the Berlin Wall
Another historic episode for democracy was the Fall of the Berlin Wall, which separated Germany into a western (capitalist) and an eastern (socialist) bloc.
If you're wondering what the fall of the Berlin Wall means for democratic conquest, remember one of its main principles: a freedom!
Citizens of East Germany and West Germany were prohibited from crossing their borders, which were symbolically established by the wall.
Many families were torn apart and East German police and soldiers killed anyone who tried to breach the wall!
Finally, after much pressure and the growing crisis of the socialist system, the Berlin wall was destroyed on November 9, 1989.
Learn more about the meaning of Democracy and about the Berlin Wall, and see the difference between democracy and dictatorship.
