Brazil

**Brazil**

Brazil is the largest country in South America and a significant economic and cultural force within the region. Originally colonized by the Portuguese, it remains the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America. Brazil declared its independence in 1822, an event famously marked by Dom Pedro I’s proclamation known as the “Cry of Ipiranga.” Following independence, Brazil was initially ruled as an empire, led by emperors Dom Pedro I and his son, Dom Pedro II, until the monarchy was overthrown in 1889 and a republic was established.

Brazil has a complex political history characterized by military dictatorships, including the Estado Novo dictatorship under Getúlio Vargas in the 1930s, and a military regime from 1964 to 1985. In the 20th century, it transitioned through periods of economic development and political liberalization, though it also faced challenges such as economic crises and issues of corruption, highlighted by scandals like Operation Car Wash.

Brazil was also the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery, with the signing of the Golden Law by Princess Isabel in 1888. This legacy has influenced its demographics, as Brazil has a large Afro-Brazilian population, and former enslaved people formed communities such as quilombos. Brazil’s culture is famously diverse, with unique traditions such as samba and the martial art capoeira, both rooted in African heritage.

### Frequent Quizbowl Clues for Brazil

1. **Cry of Ipiranga** - Dom Pedro I's declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822 is a foundational event in Brazilian history.

2. **Golden Law** - Signed by Princess Isabel in 1888, it abolished slavery in Brazil, making it the last country in the Americas to end the institution of slavery.

3. **Getúlio Vargas** - Vargas was a significant leader who ruled Brazil during the Estado Novo dictatorship, established Petrobras, and promoted economic nationalism.

4. **Coffee with Milk Politics** - This term describes the early 20th-century period when the political power in Brazil alternated between the coffee-producing state of São Paulo and the dairy-producing state of Minas Gerais.

5. **Operation Car Wash** - A major corruption investigation that exposed widespread bribery and money laundering involving the state oil company Petrobras and several high-ranking politicians, including former presidents.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared in More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org

The Cry of ___1___ was the declaration by which Brazil gained independence. The ___2___ Law, passed in 1888, was a landmark moment that ended slavery. ___3___ Vargas was a central figure in Brazil’s Estado Novo dictatorship and founded the state oil company ___4___. The "coffee with ___5___" era describes a political arrangement dominated by São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The Petrobras scandal, known as Operation ___6___, exposed a network of corruption that involved prominent politicians and business leaders.

1. Ipiranga

2. Golden

3. Getúlio

4. Petrobras

5. Milk

6. Car Wash

This list provides a comprehensive overview of key events, figures, and policies in **Brazilian history**, with a focus on colonial legacies, slavery, political developments, and Brazil’s emergence as a modern nation. Here’s an analysis of each clue with frequencies included:

1. **Golden Law (Abolition of Slavery) (53 occurrences)**: Enacted in 1888, the **Golden Law** abolished slavery in Brazil, making it the last country in the Americas to end slavery. Signed by **Princess Isabel**, this landmark law marked a major turning point in Brazilian society and labor structure.

2. **Pedro II / Dom Pedro II (45 occurrences)**: Brazil’s second and last emperor, **Dom Pedro II**, ruled for nearly 50 years. His reign is often regarded as a stable period of modernization and reform, including advances in infrastructure, culture, and education, but ended with his deposition in 1889.

3. **Getúlio Vargas / Estado Novo / Vargas dictatorship (43 occurrences)**: **Getúlio Vargas** was a transformative leader who established the authoritarian **Estado Novo** regime, implementing industrialization, labor reforms, and state control. His policies and leadership style laid the groundwork for Brazil’s modern political and economic systems.

4. **Cry of Ipiranga (40 occurrences)**: The **Cry of Ipiranga** in 1822, attributed to **Dom Pedro I**, marked Brazil’s declaration of independence from Portugal. This event is iconic in Brazilian history as it symbolizes the birth of the Brazilian Empire.

5. **War of the Triple Alliance (39 occurrences)**: Fought between **Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay** against Paraguay (1864-1870), this was the deadliest conflict in South American history. It significantly weakened Paraguay and solidified Brazil’s influence in the region.

6. **Coffee with Milk Politics / Café com Leite (35 occurrences)**: This term describes the political alliance between **São Paulo** (coffee producers) and **Minas Gerais** (dairy industry) that dominated Brazilian politics during the **First Republic** (1889-1930), reflecting regional power dynamics.

7. **Brazilian Independence (33 occurrences)**: Achieved in 1822, Brazilian independence was relatively peaceful compared to other Latin American nations. It established Brazil as a constitutional monarchy under Dom Pedro I and set the foundation for its later transition to a republic.

8. **Dom Pedro I (29 occurrences)**: As the first emperor of Brazil, **Dom Pedro I** played a crucial role in securing independence. His reign was brief, marked by political challenges and his eventual abdication in favor of his son, Dom Pedro II.

9. **Treaty of Tordesillas (27 occurrences)**: This 1494 treaty divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, giving Portugal claim to what became Brazil. It set the stage for centuries of Portuguese influence in the region.

10. **Juscelino Kubitschek / Brasilia's Construction (24 occurrences)**: **Juscelino Kubitschek** (1956-1961) initiated the ambitious construction of **Brasilia**, Brazil’s futuristic capital. Designed by **Oscar Niemeyer**, Brasilia symbolized Brazil’s drive for modernization and interior development.

11. **Quilombos / Palmares (22 occurrences)**: **Quilombos** were communities of escaped enslaved Africans, with **Palmares** being the most famous. These communities symbolize resistance to slavery and colonial oppression in Brazil.

12. **Brazilian Slaves / Law of the Free Womb (21 occurrences)**: Enacted in 1871, the **Law of the Free Womb** declared that children born to enslaved mothers would be free. This was a step toward gradual emancipation and reflects the long struggle against slavery in Brazil.

13. **Operation Brother Sam (U.S. support for military coup) (19 occurrences)**: In 1964, **Operation Brother Sam** indicated U.S. support for the military coup that ousted President **João Goulart**. This coup began a 21-year military dictatorship in Brazil, aligning it with Cold War anti-communist policies.

14. **Confederados (Post-Civil War Immigration) (18 occurrences)**: After the U.S. Civil War, some Confederates emigrated to Brazil, establishing communities that maintained Southern traditions and influenced Brazilian agriculture and society.

15. **Bandeirantes / Slave-raiding expeditions (17 occurrences)**: **Bandeirantes** were explorers and fortune-seekers who expanded Brazil’s territory inland, often through **slave raids** on Indigenous populations. They played a key role in Brazil’s territorial expansion during the colonial period.

16. **Integralist Movement / Brazilian Fascism (15 occurrences)**: The **Integralist Movement** was a Brazilian fascist movement in the 1930s, advocating nationalism and authoritarianism. It was Brazil’s version of fascism, drawing on European influences and opposing communism.

17. **Petrobras (State-owned oil company) (14 occurrences)**: **Petrobras** was founded in 1953 and became one of Brazil’s largest state-owned enterprises, symbolizing national control over natural resources and Brazil’s industrial ambitions.

18. **Military Dictatorship / Institutional Acts (1964-1985) (14 occurrences)**: The **military dictatorship** was a repressive period marked by censorship, suppression of dissent, and a series of **Institutional Acts** that concentrated power in the hands of the military government.

19. **Francisco Solano López / Paraguay conflict (13 occurrences)**: **Francisco Solano López**, the leader of Paraguay during the War of the Triple Alliance, faced opposition from Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, leading to Paraguay’s severe defeat and lasting impact on its development.

20. **Law of Sexagenarians (12 occurrences)**: This 1885 law declared that enslaved people over 60 were free, a measure intended as part of gradual emancipation. However, it provided minimal practical benefit, as enslaved people often had little means of support.

21. **Malê Revolt (Muslim Slave Revolt) (12 occurrences)**: The **Malê Revolt** of 1835 was an uprising of enslaved African Muslims in Bahia, a significant event in the history of slavery and resistance in Brazil that underscored the influence of African culture.

22. **First Republic / Old Republic (11 occurrences)**: The **First Republic** (1889-1930) was Brazil’s initial period as a republic, marked by regional dominance and elite politics, often controlled by land-owning oligarchs.

23. **Oscar Niemeyer / Architecture of Brasilia (10 occurrences)**: **Oscar Niemeyer**, a prominent modernist architect, designed many of Brasilia’s iconic buildings, helping to shape the city’s identity as a symbol of Brazil’s progressive aspirations.

24. **Duke of Caxias / War of the Ragamuffins (10 occurrences)**: The **Duke of Caxias** was a leading military figure, helping to suppress revolts and establishing Brazil’s military tradition. He played a significant role in the **War of the Ragamuffins**, a separatist rebellion in southern Brazil.

25. **Law of the Free Womb (10 occurrences)**: The **Law of the Free Womb** was pivotal in the gradual abolition process, declaring children born to enslaved mothers free. It marked a shift in Brazilian attitudes toward slavery in the 19th century.

These clues capture Brazil’s complex history, highlighting its struggles for independence, abolition of slavery, political modernization, and regional influence. The recurring themes emphasize Brazil’s path from a **Portuguese colony to a modern republic**, with moments of social resistance, economic transformation, and authoritarian rule shaping its national identity. Let me know if you would like further insights into any particular event or figure!