CommunistInsurrection

In the early hours of November 27, 1935, President Getúlio Vargas's sleep was interrupted by news that two Army units had rebelled in Rio de Janeiro: the Escola de Aviação Militar, in the Afonsos field, and the 3rd Infantry Regiment, at Praia Vermelha. But the insurrection was no surprise. A report sent months earlier by the English Intelligence Service had warned about the arrival of Communist International operatives in the country and about the plans of the Communist Party of Brazil (PCB) to draw the military into the uprising.

Days before the military uprising in the capital, corporals and privates of the 21st Rifle Battalion of Natal, dissatisfied with the discharge of troops, took over the barracks. The following day, military personnel in Recife rose up in solidarity. Both movements were claimed by the PCB and contained by the states.

In Rio, the news arriving about the events in the northeast was conflicting. Even with the country under a state of siege, the communists decided to bring forward their plans for a national popular revolution. The confidence to do so came from the conviction that a recently affiliated party member, the former tenentista leader Luís Carlos Prestes, would have great influence over the barracks.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph showing a damaged building. On the left side, there is a large crack in the wall, with brick rubble scattered on the ground. On the right, three soldiers are standing near the crack, looking into the building. The building has columns and balustrades at the top, and the façade is deteriorated.

The communist strategy was based on the domino effect. They believed that the uprising in the barracks would awaken solidarity from other units and the support of the masses. On one hand, the improvised nature of the revolution did not allow for adequate communication with the parties from which support was expected. On the other, the Federal Government's privileged information ensured an immediate and effective response to the uprising.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph. On the left side, we see a mountain with an irregular shape, covered in vegetation. At the top of the mountain, there is a structure that appears to be a fort or fortress. On the right, there is another mountain with a smoother shape, also covered in vegetation. On the horizon, we see smoke coming from an area that appears to be a factory or industrial plant. The sky is cloudy, and the river is calm, reflecting the landscape.

The Escola de Aviação was defended by lieutenant colonel Eduardo Gomes, who quelled the revolt within a few hours. On the other side of the city, at Praia Vermelha, the conflict lasted around ten hours. But the Regiment's location – between two hills, with Avenida Pasteur as its only access route – ended up being decisive for the outcome of the clash, which ended with its soldiers cornered. In the months that followed the uprising, hundreds of opponents of the government were arrested.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a crowd of soldiers in formation. From left to right, the soldiers are arranged in rows, with some in the foreground and others further away. In the background, there is a two-story building with evenly spaced windows. On the right, part of a tree and a rooftop are visible.