Group 5: Constance Eldridge, Saury Mejia, Ben Soltis, Hailey Watts The Brazilian Expedition Force in...

Group 5: Constance Eldridge, Saury Mejia, Ben Soltis, Hailey Watts

The Brazilian Expedition Force in Italy

Brazil after WWIHad vital need to establish a capable armyAgreement with France to establish a French Commission in Brazil known as the French Military Mission

Worked to improve Army schools, doctrine, and equipment

Commission’s mission terminated in 1939 with outbreak of WWIITenentismo – movement by officers who rebelled and tried a coup to depose of Brazilian president in 1922

United States InterestBrazil had close proximity to Northern AfricaGerman navy was barricading the North AtlanticRoosevelt visited Vargas in Brazil

Discussed collaboration of Brazil would support allies during WWII

At time, Vargas still had bond with Germany, but no interest in Nazi government

Interested in Brazil’s export orientation. Possibility to secure the support of the external powers during war

A Final DecisionVargas was semi-pro fascist and torn on which side of the war to supportGoal of Brazil, above all, was to develop their

poor infrastructureLacking in energy plants, railroads, roads, and

industriesU.S was financing the development of a Steel

MillCould act as the key to Brazil’s industrial

production both before and after war

Brazil’s weak Military• There was no desire for Brazil to join the war.

• Weak Military

• Military was not prepared for battle

• Brazilian Navy protects Northeast coastline

Three divisions one goes to Italy•Roosevelt meets with Vargas

•Vargas needs Roosevelt, Roosevelt needs Vargas.

•Brazil Joins World War II

•Need over want

Training Brazilian Military•Unite States sets up a base to train Brazilian Military.

•Three phases of training

•Brazil Training•Then to Africa•Then Italy

•Deployment

The BEF in Italy• First echelon arrives

16 July 1944• Morale, Fitness,

training, & equipment problems

• Initial fighting mostly successful

• Minister of War, Gen. Eurico Gaspar Dutra• “The Smoking

Snakes”

The Gothic Line & Winter of 1944-45Arrival of the rest of

the divisionGeneral

Mascarenhas de Moraes

Apennine MountainsUnfavorable terrain

and Position1st Fighter Group

Monte CastelloFour unsuccessful assaults Operation encore

Victory in ItalyOn 2 May 1945, the last Germans troops

surrendered in ItalyBEF Casualties

KIA: 451MIA: 58WIA: 1,577

Returned 13 Oct

Surrender of General Otto Fretter-Pico, Commander of the German 148 Infantry Division

•Brazil decides to NOT remain in Italy for a longer period.•The United States provided all the transportation for BEF’s return home.•BEF returned home with 509 men less and 1, 577 wounded.•The return of the BEF brought dynamic transformations in the country.

•July 18th, 1945- BEF members were given a parade through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.•Immediately after parade President Vargas disbanded the BEF. •Vargas promises to bring democracy back•October 1945, military coup takes over •Humberto Castelo Branco assumes power

•Became President after the 1964 coup d'état.•He wanted to prepare Brazil for a full democratic regime.•He appointed Economist Roberto Campos as minister of Economy, who developed a program for social changes, economic stabilization, and development. •1965 Branco modified the constitution

•WWII brought change to Brazil from an agriculture economy to an industrial economy.•Brazil’s participation on the Allied side helped to integrate Brazil into the International Scene.

•443 soldiers buried in BEF cemetery in Pistoia, Italy.•In 60’s the bodies were brought to the WWII mausoleum and monument in Rio de Janeiro.

1942-Brazil declares war on Axis powers

1944-Brazilian Expeditionary Force sent to Italy

1945 - Vargas ousted in military coup

1951 - Vargas elected president, but faces stiff opposition

1954 - Vargas commits suicide after military gives him the options of resigning or being overthrown.

1956-61 - Juscelino Kubitschek is president, helping Brazil achieve rapid economic growth.

Class Questions1. Do you think that it was a wise choice for

Brazil to agree to join the Allies in Italy?

2. Do you feel Brazil got short changed by the United States based on all the materials they provided for the United States with not much in return, despite their status as an allied power?