EncyclopediaVargas, Getúlio Dornelles
Vargas, Getúlio Dornelles (zhutOO'lyō dôrne'lis vär'gus) [key], 1883–1954, Brazilian statesman, twice president (1930–45, 1951–54). The popular governor of Rio Grande do Sul (1928–30), he ran for the presidency in 1930, was defeated, charged fraud, and led a successful revolt. His position as president was heavily supported by nationalistic forces in the military. A new constitution guaranteeing states' rights and forbidding reelection of the president was altered in 1937; a corporative state, the Estado Novo, was established on the model of Portugal. Industrial development and agricultural diversification were encouraged, but to little effect. In 1945, Vargas promised elections, but he was suspected of planning to remain in power and was ousted by a group of army officers. Still popular, he was elected senator two months later. He was again elected president in 1950 and was inaugurated in 1951. Three years later, under pressure from the army and threat of impeachment, he resigned and committed suicide.
See biography by J. W. Dulles (1967); study by R. M. Levine (1970).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
