Artur da Costa e Silva
de Brazil
15 March 1967 – 31 August 1969
Origins
Costa e Silva was born on 3 October 1902 in Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul
(He died 17 December 1969 in Rio de Janeiro of a stroke) to Aleìxo Rocha
da Silva and Almerinda da Costa. As it was a common practice in Brazil, his
parents blended their surnames for that of Artur and his siblings. He was
descended from Portuguese colonists who settled in the southern farm lands.
Sr. Costa ran the family general store. Costa e Silva grew up considered
“middle class”.
While most were playing military games in their yards, Costa e Silva was rising through the ranks and
classes at the Military School of Porto Alegre. At his graduation in 1917, he was commander of his
student body. His vice-commander was the 21st president of Brazil: the man Artur da Costa e Silva would
later overthrow. He graduated third in the class at the Brazilian Military Academy at Realengo. It was
there that he discovered his future wife.
Ideology
Rise to Power
Costa e Silva joined group of officers opposed to the elite landowners governmental control in 1922.
Consequently, the rebellion he planned was immediately squashed and he was imprisoned on a freighter
in the Guanabara Bay. Six months later he won his freedom, and would serve as a teacher at military
schools until the 1930s. After Brazil saw failed leadership under Getúlio Vargas, Juscelino Kubistschek,
Janio Quadros (under whom Costa e Silva impressed Brazilians as he quashed rebels) and Joao Goulart,
corruption was permeating all walks of the Brazilian government. The annual increase in the cost of
living had risen to 81% and foreign investment had dropped because of industries nationalization.
Brazilian citizens took to the streets.
In 1964, the military took power from Joao Goulart and attempted to persuade Costa e Silva to ascend to
the presidency. In a coy political move, he deferred and let his protégé take the blame for the necessary
economic and political measures that had to be taken to put Brazil back on track. Money was being put
back into the country.
Because the people of Brazil were so distraught with the policies of Castelo Branco, the Congress elected
Costa e Silva instead of the people. He was elected on his 64th birthday.
Political Affiliation
During the reign of his protégé, Artur da Costa e Silva positioned himself between the constitiutionalist
and hard line right-wingers in the military while giving the public an image of humanist (in response to
his protégé’s necessary measures). Artur da Costa e Silva was a military dictator who attempted to keep a
guise of citizen control, but ruled with right-wing beliefs.
Base of Support
Artur da Costa e Silva positioned himself between the differing factions of the Brazilian military as well
as appearing with humanist intentions towards the citizens of Brazil. He was not a typical military leader
at the beginning. He loved to publicize his affection of bad television, card games, gambling, flirting,
short work days and long naps. He wore dark glasses to avoid eye irritation, but instead of being a
positive to his cult of personality, they were a help to the political cartoons. Initially, Costa e Silva
laughed right along with the critics.
He had the support of the military because he made them loyal through his time as war minister under his
predecessor. His presidency alienated more moderate members of the military because he was able to
assure they did not receive commands or positions of power. He gave the military pay raises and new
hardware. He secured the loyalty of Brazil with promises of social and economic reform and attracted
foreign support by giving an allegiance to the United States business sector.
In August 1969, Costa e Silva suffered from a stroke that left him unable to speak or write. He was
succeeded by a military junta or military group who assumes governmental control in times of need.
Costa e Silva died on December 17, 1969 with few citizens mourning his passing. Unable to make a long
term connection with the Brazilian people, the 23rd president, Emílio Garrastazu Médici quickly initiates
means to regrow the economy; civilian democracy was restored in 1970s.
Use of Propaganda
In addition, journalists and news media personal had previously enjoyed a great deal of freedom (see
political cartoons poking fun at Costa e Silva). This was all about to change. Newspapers were openly
censored.
Treatment of the Opposition
Opposition did not arise until 1968. Until then, Costa e Silva had maintained the image of populist leader
who seemed harmless. By 1968, those who wanted change were not receiving it and pushing for a return
to civilian rule (Costa e Silva was a military leader who was elected by Congress, not the people).
In September 1968, Márcio Moreira Alves attacked the Costa e Silva government on the floor of the
Chamber of the Deputies. Military demanded he face criminal charges, but the military serving Congress
refused to lift Alves’ immunity. Rumors spread that Costa e Silva would be removed from the office of
the president.
On 13 December 1968 enacted Institutional Act No 5. It was contested not because of the content and
power it would relegate to the president, but because of the timing. The crescent moon among other
celestial coincidences put some members of the government and military on edge. Intuitional Act No 5
allowed him to dissolve the Congress on 14 December 1968; suspend the constitution; and assumed all
dictatorial powers. Following this the number of those tortured and “disappeared” increased heavily. Next
time, think before you criticize a leader on the cusp of a failing country. The imprisonment of opposition
followed. In addition, journalists and news media personal had previously enjoyed a great deal of freedom
(see political cartoons poking fun at Costa e Silva). This was all about to change. Newspapers were
openly censored.
Costa e Silva, after dissolving the constitution, assumed the right to intervene in any state affair (national
or local), negate political and civil rights such as habeas corpus and expels students from universities for
anti-government demonstrations.
Treatment of the Minorities
Not applicable
Political and Economic Policies
Even the late 1960s, Brazil was a rich country. It had much arable land, minerals, timber and many other
resources; prosperity seemed only logical. However, Costa e Silva was handed a country with highest
child mortality rate, the third highest illiteracy rate, third lowest per capita income, low life expectancy,
rampant disease and hyper-inflation. Under Costa e Silva, Brazil was crying for change. However, the
military, who called for this change, was perfectly fine with the high wealth by the upper class and
business leaders. Costa e Silva said he would satisfy everyone, but satisfied no one.
Regional and Foreign Impact
Costa e Silva promised a partnership with the United States, but as he was unable to deliver his promises
to citizens at home, protests mounted. The United States sent its disapproval.
The United States diplomats and foreign relations workers had an clear opposition to Costa e Silva, while
the US business leaders loved his reign. He dropped inflation below 20% and the gross national product,
among other economic statistics, drastically improved. This cause more investment in Brazil by the
United States.
Works Cited
"Artur da Costa e Silva." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (March 7, 2010).
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404707143.html
“RAPIDINHAS.” Brazzil online. http://www.brazzil.com/pages/rpddec98.htm (accessed March 7, 2010).