The clearest way to write about contemporary Brazilian history is in the form of a timeline with a discussion of significant events. This gives a brief overview of a span of time in which Brazil changed and developed through various reasons including shifts in leadership.
1985-This is a good year to begin with because this marked the year that the first civilian president in 21 years was elected. Tancredo Neves was set to take office but was replaced by his vice president, Jose Sarney, after Neves passed away. This election was organized by the military who setup an electoral college system in hopes of electing a president who could lead Brazil out of their economic crisis. Sarney was President until 1990 and is now a Senator in Brazil. His time in office included the challenges of foreign debt, inflation, and corruption. Sarney attempted to solve the problem of inflation by introducing a freeze for prices and wages called the Cruzado Plan. This was temporarily successful but when the freeze was lifted the problem of inflation returned.
1988-A new constitution was passed in Brazil that covered various aspects such as interest rates, education, health, divorce, Indian rights, strikes and the minimum wage. The most important parts of this constitution reduced presidential power. Specifically, by abolishing the decree law, which allowed the president to pass legislation against the wishes of Congress.
1989-Fernando Collor de Mello, a wealthy governor, was elected in the first direct election since 1960. In his platform he promised to promote economic growth through radical reform, but nothing seemed to improve. Collor was only President for two years because he resigned as the Senate was preparing to impeach him for corruption.
1992-President Collor resigns, is found guilty by the Senate in his impeachment trial, but is later acquitted.
1992-The UN Conference on Environment and Development, Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro. 172 nations participated with the goal of sustainable development.
1994-Fernando Henrique Cardoso was elected President. His main accomplishments in office was modernizing the government and getting control of inflation. He was president until 2003 when his term ended and he returned to academia.
1996-Eldorado dos Carajas massacre where 19 Amazon peasants were killed by police. These members of the Landless Workers Movement were blocking a highway in protest against the government. This group wanted the unproductive ranch that they lived on to be allocated to their community.
1998-Fernando Henrique Cardoso was reelected to the presidency after the constitution was amended allowing him to have two terms. The Asian stock market collapsed with put countries worldwide in bind and the IMF supported Brazil with a rescue package
2000-Brazil’s 500 year anniversary of colonization by Portugal. Indians clashed with police to show their anger towards the racial genocide that occurred against the indigenous people after colonization when the population went from 5 million to 350,000 people.
2002-Brazil wins the World Cup for the 5th time defeating Germany 2-0. Brazil has more world cup titles than any other nation in the years 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and most recently 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyndF-k338w
2002-Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is elected president and serves until 2010. He promises political and economic reforms as well as solving the problem of hunger and poverty. Founder of the Workers’ Party and described as the most popular Brazilian president. Worked to bring people out of poverty and provide education to the working class.
2005-Dorothy Stang, American missionary and Amazon supporter, is murdered. This creates even more conflict over the land and resources of the Amazon. The government responds to this with a plan to protect part of the Amazon from further invasion.
2005-Many members of the Worker’s Party resign due to corruption but the following year Lula is reelected.
2008-Abortion legalization is rejected by Congress due to Catholic religious values
2008-Government buys 300,000 illegal guns off the streets
2010-Brazil is increasing its foreign diplomacy
2010-Construction is started of a controversial hydroelectric dam in Amazon
2010-The first female President, Dilma Rousseff, is elected representing the Working Party.
Throughout modern history Brazil has been facing issues of corruption, violence, tension with Indians, and poverty. The government is striving to solve these problems in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
The Penn State/ Brazil Connection 