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Portuguese land in current day Brazil and claim it for the Portuguese crown.
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Son of Portuguese King declares independence from Portugal and crowns himself Peter I emperor of Brazil.
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Slavery abolished. Large influx of European immigrants over the next decade.
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Monarchy overthrown, federal republic established with central government controlled by coffee interests. Brazil produces 65% of the worlds coffee by 1902.
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Revolt places Getulio Vargas at head of provisional revolutionary government.
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Vargas leads coup, rules as dictator with military backing. Economy placed under authoritarian state control, start of social welfare revolution and reform of laws governing industry.
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Brazil initially declares itself neutral but in 1943 joins Allies in World War II.
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Vargas elected president, but faces stiff opposition.
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Vargas commits suicide after military gives him the options of resigning or being overthrown.
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Juscelino Kubitschek is president, helping Brazil achieve rapid economic growth.
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Kubitschek moves capital to Brasilia.
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Janio Quadros elected president, but resigns after several months, plunging country into constitutional crisis. Succeeded by left-wing vice-president Joao Goulart.
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Goulart ousted in bloodless coup, flees into exile. Military rule associated with repression but also with rapid economic growth based on state-ownership of key sectors
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General Ernesto Geisel becomes president, introduces reforms which allow limited political activity and elections.
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Tancredo Neves elected first civilian president in 21 years under the electoral college system set up by the military, but falls ill before he can be inaugurated and dies shortly afterwards. His vice president Jose Sarney becomes president at time of economic crisis.
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New constitution reduces presidential powers.
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Fernando Henrique Cardoso elected president after helping to bring inflation under control. Makes controversial moves on land issue, seizing land for distribution among poor, and allowing indigenous land claims to be challenged.
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October - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, popularly known as Lula, wins presidential elections. The former shoeshine boy heads Brazil's first left-wing government for more than 40 years. At his inauguration in January 2003 he promises political and economic reforms and pledges to eradicate hunger.