The Second World War and the Rise of Mass Nationalism in Brazil : Class, Race and Citizenship

This book reexamines the socioeconomic and political transformation that occurred in Brazil during the 1940s as a result of the Second World War. Integrating social and political history, the author explores the adoption of new policies around state-sponsored industrialisation, the consolidation of Brazilian labour law institutions, and the expanded influence of ‘racial democracy’ in the country's domestic and foreign policy. The book argues that the nature of the Brazilian state and its definitions of citizenship were redefined both from ‘the top’ – as a result of Brazil’s integration in the new international order following the War – and ‘from below’ - as antifascism and mass nationalism opened new spaces for subaltern agency. Challenging traditional narratives on Brazil’s transition from the Estado Novo dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas to a postwar democratic experience, this book highlights the extent to which political developments were shaped by key global processes and foreign relations with the USA. The book also focuses on the ‘bottom-up’ forces and actors that brought about change in Brazil, emphasising the role of workers, protestors, and popular actors in shaping history. Breaking new ground in Brazilian historiography, this book makes a significant contribution to studies of populism and democratisation in Latin America. Acknowledgments Contents List of Figures Chapter 1: The Second World War in Brazilian History: From the Background to the Forefront Chapter 2: Total War, International Systems, and Social Change War Effort and Social Citizenship Chapter 3: Pragmatic Nationalism Amidst Global Uncertainty Suppressing Class Struggle and Promoting “Social Harmony” Bargaining with Expansionist Great Powers National Sovereignty and Hemispheric Security: An Uneasy Coexistence Chapter 4: “Improving the race”: Tropical Eugenics in Times of Nazi Triumph Brazilian Aryanism for German Readers Nazi Rejection and a Reception by Uncle Sam Chapter 5: The Estado Novo and the quest for the “Brazilian ethnic type” The Day of the Race: Which Day? Which Race? Vigor for Procreation, Production, and Defense: Eugenics and Brazil’s “Caucasian” Future Chapter 6: The 1942 Anti-Axis Demonstrations: Taking to the Streets From Outrage to Protest “Justified expressions of fervor”: The New Face of “public tranquility” A New Regime Or a New ‘situation’? Chapter 7: Brazil Under the Racist Gaze of the Allies A White Supremacist in the Capital of Black Brazilians Labor Laws and “the revenge of the black blood” Chapter 8: Antifascism and Racial Democracy “Racial Democracy” versus “Political Racism” Gilberto Freyre: Prominence and Backlash Arthur Ramos: Racism as Justification for Imperialism The “Double V”: Defeating Fascism in the War and Racism at Home Chapter 9: Soldiers of Production and Builders of a New Country Setting the Foundations for National Development Strategic Materials and the “springboard to victory” Chapter 10: Reframing Citizenship for a New World Order Labor Laws and “Regulated Citizenship” National Security, Loyalties, and Exclusions Chapter 11: “National Union” and Class Struggle Fighting Super-Exploitation and Hunger Wartime Patriotism and Working-Class Self-Assertiveness Striking or Tightening Belts? Chapter 12: Patriots at the Ballot Box Populism? Democratic Varguismo Legal Communism Chapter 13: Conclusion References Index