Kubitschek, Juscelino

Kubitschek, Juscelino (zhOOsulē'noo kOO'buchek) [key], 1902–76, president of Brazil (1956–61). A surgeon who served as mayor of Belohorizonte and governor of Minas Gerais, he was elected president in 1955. He launched an immense public works program, borrowing heavily to construct buildings, highways, hydroelectric projects, and the new capital city, Brasília. He offered enormous incentives to industry, and the country's productive capacity soared. The huge deficit spending, however, sparked an inflationary spiral, and the national debt reached almost $4 billion. Kubitschek was succeeded in office by Janio Quadros. In 1964, after a military takeover in Brazil, Kubitschek was deprived of his political rights and went into exile temporarily.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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