THE oligarchic republic (1894-1930) is characterized by the alternation of power between the coffee oligarchies of the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
The presidents of that time were elected, in most cases, by the Partido Republicano Paulista and the Partido Republicano Mineiro.
From the 1930s onwards, some historians call this phase the First Republic, the Republic of the Colonels or the Republic of Café au lait and also the Old Republic.
Cover of Careta Magazine, August 1925, nº809. The states try, but cannot reach the presidential power dominated by São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Author: Alfredo Storni.
Oligarchy
The word oligarchy comes from the Greek and means “government of the few”. Thus, "oligarchy" designates a government that is dominated by a group of people or families that are united by the same economic activity or political party.
Oligarchies end up forming closed groups and reject any different way of thinking. In this way, even in democracy, it is possible to have cases of oligarchic governments.
know more about oligarchy.
Oligarchic Republic in Brazil
In Brazil, the period is identified when rural oligarchies dominated the Brazilian political scene.
Normally, the elected presidents were from the Partido Republicano Paulista (PRP) and the Partido Republicano Mineiro (PRM). This practice was called café au lait policy in allusion to the greater wealth generated by these two states.
The Rio-Grandense Republican Party (PRR) also played an important role at this time. This party sought to unbalance the balance between these two states, but defending the rural oligarchy and the urban classes in Rio Grande do Sul.
It is important to emphasize that, at that time, there were no national political parties like today, but state parties.
The exception was the Conservative Republican Party (PRC) with supporters in Rio Grande do Sul and the northeastern states.
Despite not having managed to elect any president, this party had in the state senator Pinheiro Machado its great representative in Brazilian politics.
The first civilian president elected, after Marshal Floriano Peixoto, was Prudente de Morais, supported by the São Paulo coffee oligarchy.
His mandate lasted from 1894 to 1898 when he was replaced by Campos Salles, also from São Paulo, from the São Paulo Republican Party.
Characteristics of the Oligarchic Republic
Presidents-elect used their political influence to benefit coffee growers and ensure their hold on power.
Thus, it was important to build state alliances such as the Governors Policy and secure the election result through fraud. This practice became known as Vote of Halter.
The local chiefs who exercised this practice were called colonels, although they were not linked to the Army. Thus, this policy of getting votes by force and exchanging favors is also called coronelismo.
Read more about the colonelism.
protests
However, the Oligarchic Republic was not a peaceful period in the history of Brazil. Groups and parties outside the circle of power, such as the urban classes, protested against the government.
We can cite as an example the Vaccine Revolt, the Contestado War or the Copacabana Fort Revolt.
Likewise, the growing Brazilian industrialization caused businessmen and workers to demand more rights and space in national political life.
Workers fought for their rights through strikes and factory owners through business associations.
The interests did not always coincide between the oligarchies of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Author: Oswald Storni
End of the Oligarchic Republic
The period of the Oligarchic Republic ends when Getúlio Vargas, candidate defeated in the 1930 elections, prevents Júlio Prestes from taking office.
With the 1930 Revolution, other social actors entered the Brazilian political scenario, modifying certain forms of government.
