After the end of World War II, the establishment of the bipolar world made possible a series of events that represented the disputes and interests of the Soviet Union and the United States. Already in the early 1950s, political disputes developed in Korea became the backdrop for competition between capitalists and socialists. In other words, the so-called Cold War manifested itself in the hegemonic dispute of that region politically divided into two countries.
On the one hand, South Korea was controlled by an authoritarian government in line with the dictates of the capitalist bloc. On the other, North Korea was guided by a communist government that had the important mission of preventing the emergence of another region influenced by capitalism in the eastern world. The conflict dragged on between 1950 and 1953 and, going beyond its own limits, ended up causing a relative unrest in Brazilian lands.
During this period, the Brazilian political scene was divided between two broader political groups: liberals, interested in the participation of foreign capital in the development of the economy; and the nationalists, who pointed out protectionism and state action as fundamental points for the strengthening of the nation. However, before talking about the role played by these two sectors in the conflict, we can first point out some minor manifestations resulting from the Korean war.
Inaugurating the first decade of post-World War II, the Korean conflict aroused the terrible possibility of a new war on worldwide proportions. For this reason, a few days after the start of the war, all Brazilian Army garrisons were placed on standby in case the use of weapons was necessary. Soon after, they consulted the government about the possibility of troops who would fight with the UN against the communists.
After these first disturbances, Brazil did not send a single troop and only helped the capitalist side by sending medicines and coffee. In the city of Recife, we had the most expressive civil reaction in relation to this confrontation. Rádio Jornal do Comércio organized, together with the ecclesiastical authorities of the region, a huge mass for the end of the Korean War, which gathered approximately 40 thousand people in the Retiro stadium.
More than provoking such isolated reactions, Brazil's participation in this military confrontation could pave the way for the adoption of one of the economic policies suggested by nationalists and liberals. The latter believed that the country's entry into the war could strengthen relations with the great powers. The sending of Brazilian soldiers to Korea would represent the definition of a political-ideological perspective favorable to the “free world” and to “democracy”.
However, the nationalist wings vehemently disagreed with the Brazilian participation in opposing the South Korean government. In a published article, nationalist captain Humberto Freire de Andrade made harsh criticisms against the South Korean dictatorial government, as well as praising the neighboring country at the time it reaffirmed its autonomy with the implementation of social policies and the carrying out of agrarian reform in the lands. North Korean women.
Despite not putting men and weapons, the Korean War fueled another episode in which the nation's development projects would be put to the test. At the time, President Getúlio Vargas preferred to adopt an independent stance to the pressures of political groups at the time. This would be one of the many disputes and pressures experienced by the true “political war” that took shape in Brazil in times of populism.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team
On the one hand, South Korea was controlled by an authoritarian government in line with the dictates of the capitalist bloc. On the other, North Korea was guided by a communist government that had the important mission of preventing the emergence of another region influenced by capitalism in the eastern world. The conflict dragged on between 1950 and 1953 and, going beyond its own limits, ended up causing a relative unrest in Brazilian lands.
During this period, the Brazilian political scene was divided between two broader political groups: liberals, interested in the participation of foreign capital in the development of the economy; and the nationalists, who pointed out protectionism and state action as fundamental points for the strengthening of the nation. However, before talking about the role played by these two sectors in the conflict, we can first point out some minor manifestations resulting from the Korean war.
Inaugurating the first decade of post-World War II, the Korean conflict aroused the terrible possibility of a new war on worldwide proportions. For this reason, a few days after the start of the war, all Brazilian Army garrisons were placed on standby in case the use of weapons was necessary. Soon after, they consulted the government about the possibility of troops who would fight with the UN against the communists.
After these first disturbances, Brazil did not send a single troop and only helped the capitalist side by sending medicines and coffee. In the city of Recife, we had the most expressive civil reaction in relation to this confrontation. Rádio Jornal do Comércio organized, together with the ecclesiastical authorities of the region, a huge mass for the end of the Korean War, which gathered approximately 40 thousand people in the Retiro stadium.
More than provoking such isolated reactions, Brazil's participation in this military confrontation could pave the way for the adoption of one of the economic policies suggested by nationalists and liberals. The latter believed that the country's entry into the war could strengthen relations with the great powers. The sending of Brazilian soldiers to Korea would represent the definition of a political-ideological perspective favorable to the “free world” and to “democracy”.
However, the nationalist wings vehemently disagreed with the Brazilian participation in opposing the South Korean government. In a published article, nationalist captain Humberto Freire de Andrade made harsh criticisms against the South Korean dictatorial government, as well as praising the neighboring country at the time it reaffirmed its autonomy with the implementation of social policies and the carrying out of agrarian reform in the lands. North Korean women.
Despite not putting men and weapons, the Korean War fueled another episode in which the nation's development projects would be put to the test. At the time, President Getúlio Vargas preferred to adopt an independent stance to the pressures of political groups at the time. This would be one of the many disputes and pressures experienced by the true “political war” that took shape in Brazil in times of populism.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team
20th century - wars - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/o-brasil-guerra-coreia.htm
