Vargas era

The Vargas era was the period from 1930 to 1946 when Brazil was governed by Getulio Vargas, subdivided into the Second Brazilian Republic of 1930 to 1937 and the Third Brazilian Republic, or Estado Novo, of 1937 to 1946. The Revolution of 1930 ended the First Republic: it deposed President Washington Luis and barred president-elect Julio Prestes on charges that the election had been rigged, abrogated the constitution of 1891, dissolved the National Congress, and a provisional military junta ceded power to Vargas. He first ruled by decree, then under the constitution of 1934, drafted by the Constituent Assembly of 1933 and 1934, as a president elected by Congress. When his term was due to end in 1938 he imposed a new dictatorial constitution, shut the legislature and ruled as dictator. His regime nationalised industry, issued the Consolidation of Labor Laws in 1943 with its eight-hour day and job stability, and let state-run syndicates co-opt the unions, while pressing the integralists and the left alike. In 1942, after submarines sank more than twenty-five Brazilian ships, Brazil entered the war, and in 1945 Vargas was forced out and the era closed.