“Order and Progress” the national motto resonates around Ao civilista Marechal Castelo Branco Bust. It was also the motto of the Brazilian military dictatorship. This bust commemorates Humberto de Alencar Castelo Branco. He was a key figure in the 1964 coup. This coup ushered in a 21-year period of military rule.
Ao civilista Marechal Castelo Branco Bust was unveiled on March 30 1974. This coincided with the anniversary of Guarulhos’ emancipation. It also marked the inauguration of public works in the city. The bust was created by sculptor Luis Morrone. He also created the “Monument to the Foundation of S\u00e3o Paulo”. This monument honors historical figures involved in the city’s founding. It is located in Pra\u00e7a Cl\u00f3vis Bevilacqua in central S\u00e3o Paulo. Morrone received many awards. His busts are spread throughout the state.
Castelo Branco was the first of five generals to serve as president during the dictatorship. He promised to restore democracy. However he consolidated the military’s power. He ushered in two decades of authoritarianism.
Born in Cear\u00e1 in 1897 Castelo Branco grew up in a military family. He joined a military academy at age 21. His career progressed well. He gained a reputation as a military intellectual. He attended courses in Paris and at Fort Leavenworth in the United States. During World War II he served in the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy.
After the war Castelo Branco became involved in Brazil’s Superior War College. This elite institution trained civilian and military personnel. It developed ideas on how Brazil could progress economically and culturally.
Before the 1964 coup Castelo Branco refused to participate in military conspiracies. By 1964 he changed his mind. He helped plan the uprising that deposed President Jo\u00e3o Goulart. The military chose Castelo Branco to lead the new regime. He was seen as a well-regarded “legalist”. His background and support for liberalism mirrored the military’s ideals.
As president Castelo Branco imposed austerity measures. His goals were to counteract inflation and prevent Brazil from defaulting on its debt. He sought financial support from foreign lenders. These included the IMF the United States and the World Bank. Previous presidents had failed to implement similar measures due to public opposition. However Castelo Branco did not have to fear direct elections.
Castelo Branco’s economic reforms largely affected urban and rural workers. Austerity measures ended subsidies for basic commodities. They froze wages. They controlled prices. The government suppressed union protests. Wealthy Brazilians also faced higher taxes and limited access to credit.
Foreign capital benefited from Brazil’s favorable investment climate. Inflation decreased but growth stagnated. Castelo Branco also shifted Brazilian foreign policy. He sought to improve relations with the United States. He broke ties with Cuba. He supported the US in the Dominican Republic. This earned him financial and political support from the US and other Western nations.
Despite his promises Castelo Branco repeatedly violated the constitution. He extended his presidential mandate. He changed election rules. He endorsed a new constitution that placed the military’s power in a constitutional framework.
While some view Castelo Branco as a moderate legalist his actions contradict this classification. His untimely death prevented him from reflecting on his decisions. The plaque with laudatory text to the military man has disappeared. Ao civilista Marechal Castelo Branco Bust stands here today. It prompts reflection on a complex period of Brazilian history.