A Tropical Queen - Brazil 1964 TL

Is anyone still interested in the continuation of this TL?

I can’t say I’m still interested since I never saw it before. I’m certainly newly interested though! Democratic Brazil is a nice change of pace, although they really should take the opportunity to switch to a parliamentary system… :)
 
Please continue as Mazzili and Neves would make a very odd political couple (Mazzili was a "army-friendly conservative" whereas Neves was a kind of "more centralist Jango")...something that I'd like to see in the TL is the gloomy perspective of 1964' Brazilian economy and its impacts political sectors and the increasingly polarization between the right-wing conservatives + armed forces vs left-wing "Brizolismo"...
 
First Months of 1965
First Months of 1965


The first months of 1965 saw a strange Brazil flourish. The trauma of Jango's death has increasingly created a myth among Brazil's poorest and most rural sectors. The image of the beautiful widow speaking that her marriage to all Brazilians remained. Maria Thereza Goulart had become a symbol.

President Mazzilli had a discreet but firm performance. Much more moderate than Jango, Ranieri served to appease the moods between the remnants of military support and Leonel Brizola's increasingly sonorous voice. Despite fears that Mazzilli might be a retrograde democracy, the new President secured his support for the institutional pillars that were the winners in 1964.

One of the biggest challenges of the brief Mazzilli Government would be the fight against inflation, which continued to grow. And, of course, ensure that the one elected in October took office.

Campaign movements had already begun. With the death of João Goulart, former President Juscelino Kubitschek officially announced, after the mourning period, that he would run for a new term of office at the head of the country.
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Former President Juscelino Kubitschek, favorite to win in 1965

JK's candidacy was already starting as the favorite to win the election on Oct. 3. In second place in the surveys appeared Leonel Brizola, that counted on the important support of the widow of Jango.

Juscelino even offered Leonel Brizola the position of vice president in a union ticket of the country's two most popular politicians, but the proposal was rejected by Jango's brother-in-law.
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Leonel Brizola, brother-in-law of Jango and candidate in 1965

By the opposition, the UDN launched the candidacy of Olavo Bilac Pinto, with few chances of victory.

Brazil seemed normal at the time. But deep down, it was strange times. The military coup was so close, but at the same time so far. Two Democrats were the favorites to win the election, but the fear still hung in the air. And the country's destitute population had already chosen its symbol, its strength, its muse: Maria Thereza Goulart.

Some wondered: why did the people fall in love with her? Was it the beauty of that 25 year old girl? Or stolen innocence? That glamor? Or just the popular Brazilian imagination that yearned for his Jackie Kennedy, for his Grace Kelly, and especially for his Evita?

No one would dare answer that at that moment. That widow had conquered Brazil, first as the beautiful and demure first lady. And now, like a warrior widow, defender of the rights of the people. In those years of 1965, no one could predict the future.
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Maria Thereza Goulart: more than a widow, a symbol
 
Great TL! Very well. I need to continue this. And one thing i would like to know os about the economics and infrastructure projects that have been make by military in OTL, how they would occur (SP Subway, Rio-Niteroi Bride, Angra Nuclear Power Plant, Itaipu Dam)... Could ALT Brazil averted some OTL infrastructures problem in better way? Rail network, electrical distribution...
 
Great TL! Very well. I need to continue this. And one thing i would like to know os about the economics and infrastructure projects that have been make by military in OTL, how they would occur (SP Subway, Rio-Niteroi Bride, Angra Nuclear Power Plant, Itaipu Dam)... Could ALT Brazil averted some OTL infrastructures problem in better way? Rail network, electrical distribution...

Thanks!
Well, I can not get things far ahead of time, but some of the big military projects probably will not happen. However, with regard to the problem of the Brazilian focus on the construction of highways instead of railways, this problem started, in my opinion, even before the Dictatorship, especially during the JK Government.
 
Thanks!
Well, I can not get things far ahead of time, but some of the big military projects probably will not happen. However, with regard to the problem of the Brazilian focus on the construction of highways instead of railways, this problem started, in my opinion, even before the Dictatorship, especially during the JK Government.

That is what i imagine. But even focus on highways, maybe we can see at least some level of modernization on railroads for freight between the states and major centes (if can solve the problems of multiple gauges and routes built), and the introduction on rapid transit on major cities by late 60s?
 
That is what i imagine. But even focus on highways, maybe we can see at least some level of modernization on railroads for freight between the states and major centes (if can solve the problems of multiple gauges and routes built), and the introduction on rapid transit on major cities by late 60s?
Well, I can not go far, but yes, that may be possible. But I think a lot will depend on who will be the next presidents of Brazil and the vision of them on certain subjects. A presidency of JK would be very different from a presidency of Leonel Brizola in certain points.
 
1965 Campaign
1965 Campaign


Despite the tension that permeated the election, the campaign between the two main candidates was pleasant and respectable. Juscelino Kubistchek and Leonel Brizola did not exchange offenses or criticize one another on a personal level. The two engaged in a campaign based on mutual respect and a debate of ideas and personalities.

The same could be said among his candidates for VPs, Marshal Henrique Teixeira Lott (PSD) and the Chief Minister of the Civil House of the late Jango, Darcy Ribeiro (PTB).

Kubitschek and Lott were a ticket that tried to anchor in the success and popularity of the JK government of 1955-1960. The former president was still immensely popular for its achievements, and Lott was ideal for the popular imagination of the "democratic military."
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Former President Juscelino Kubitschek and his candidate for VP, Marshal Lott

Leonel Brizola and Darcy Ribeiro were already campaigning on João Goulart. They used their victory against the Coup de 64, the growing popularity of their ideas, the mourning that still plagued the country, and especially in the presence of their young and beautiful widow.

The opposition, in the figure of the candidacy of Olavo Bilac Pinto, never gained traction.

While the 1965 campaign was going on in peace, Ranieri Mazzilli's government achieved some success. Despite not continuing Jango's social reform program, the new President did not attempt to reverse the reforms already approved.

Mazzilli asked Kubitschek and Brizola to nominate representatives to assist him in his transitional government. The economy did not worsen significantly during the brief Mazzilli administration.
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Leonel Brizola and his candidate for VP Darcy Ribeiro

Aware of its democratic and institutional role, the President fought any indication of anti-democratic movement in the country, disappointing some military who thought they would have an ally in the presidency.

The polls initially gave JK a clear advantage, but during the campaign, in an effect many attributed to Maria Thereza's constant presence at Brizola's events, the difference between the two main candidates began to decline.

In the last weeks before the election, Juscelino's advantage had dropped to only 3%. Despite the intensification of the polls, the civilized tone of the campaign continued.
 
Just came across this timeline, and it is refreshing to see a TL which shows democracy prevailing in Brazil 1964. Subscribed.
Hope to see more!
 
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