The Dismantling of Brazil's Old Republic

In the years 1922-1930 Brazil's political and cultural arenas were bestirred by distinct movements of protest and demand for change, forcing a great shift in the manner Brazilians perceived themselves and their country, and shaping a national climate of opinion which led to a revolution and substantial reforms. This book follows the progression of these events, with special focus on the rebelling young military officers and the modernist artists, highlighting their internal controversies and evolving ideologies. Additional coverage is given to the growing demands for change among the urban population, particularly as articulated by the daily press, and to intellectuals who expressed their opinions on pressing national problems, all of which attest to not only a change of ideas but an initial polarization into opposing and rival political currents. Unlike other historians, the comprehensive answers presented here by the author, with regard to the underlying causes of the transition, stress the impact of early twentieth century cultural change.

Ilan Rachum has lectured on Latin American and early modern European history at Bar-Ilan University (Israel). His publications in Hebrew comprise a concise history of Brazil, a survey of Latin America in the twentieth century, and a history of imperial Spain (co-authored with the late Fred Bronner). His books also include The Renaissance: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (1979) and "Revolution": The Entrance of a New Word into Western Political Discourse (1999), in addition to numerous articles in scholarly journals.

Foreword
Placing October 1930 in Its Latin American Context
The Old Republic: Structures and Values
Cultural Change and the Undermining of Hierarchies
Alberto Torres: A Critic of His Nation
When Artists Launch a Struggle for Modern Values
Violent Protests of Inarticulate Young Officers
A Notable Addition: The Urban Oppositions
A Shift in the Evaluation of National Issues
Two Years of Revolutionary Effervescence
A Revolution? Yes, but Not the One Promised
A long and Tortuous Aftermath
Bibliography
Index