ChibataRevolt

The Master of Ceremonies of the Seas - Elis Regina, 1974

In the early 20th century, it was common for the Brazilian Navy to use physical punishment to discipline low-ranking military personnel, mostly Black and poor men. But a group of sailors from Rio de Janeiro rose up against the State, demanding an end to corporal punishment and better working conditions. Led by João Cândido, the Revolta da Chibata (Whip Revolt) began on November 22, 1910.

João Cândido Felisberto (the tall man in the center) with reporters, officers, and sailors aboard the warship Minas Geraes on the last day of the mutiny. O Malho, Rio de Janeiro. Hemeroteca da Biblioteca Nacional

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a group of people standing side by side. From left to right, the individuals are arranged in a straight line, occupying the space of the image. Everyone appears to be wearing casual clothing, with some wearing hats and others not. Some people are smiling at the camera, while others are looking directly into it.

In the previous week, national and foreign vessels had docked in Guanabara Bay to salute the inauguration of President Hermes da Fonseca. An incident, however, put an end to the celebrations. Sailor Marcelino Rodrigues Menezes was punished with 250 lashes in front of the entire crew. On the night of November 22nd, more than two thousand low-ranking sailors took command of four warships and aimed their cannons at the city. Firing warning shots, they issued an ultimatum to the government: either corporal punishment in the Navy would cease, or they would bombard the federal capital.

Projectile in the air, immediately after being fired from a ship seized by the rebels. Rio de Janeiro – 1910 – Photographer unknown. Instituto Moreira Salles.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph showing a ship in action. On the left side, we see a ship with smoke coming from its bow, indicating that it is firing a projectile. The projectile is flying through the air, with a plate bearing the letter "U" visible on it. In the background, we see a cityscape with buildings and a line of trees. The image was taken in 1910, as mentioned in the website caption.

Part of the press and some members of Congress were sympathetic to the movement, pressuring the government to accept the demands. Hermes da Fonseca declared an end to the punishments and amnesty for the rebels. However, days later, the president backtracked and canceled the amnesty for some of the rebels, resulting in the expulsion and imprisonment of sailors.

Revolta da Chibata in Rio de Janeiro 1910 - Correio da Manhã, Rio de Janeiro. Hemeroteca Digital Biblioteca Nacional.

Image description: The image is an old newspaper, dated Thursday, November 24, 1910, titled "Correio da Manhã." The front page features a news story about the "Esquadra Revoltada" (Rebel Fleet), highlighting the shots fired by the rebel ships upon the city. On the left, there is a photo of a woman in a long dress, holding an object. On the right, there is another photo of a person lying on the ground, covered by a sheet. The text mentions measures taken by the government, deputy José Carlos de Carvalho aboard the "S. Paulo," his meetings with the rebels, and notes from the reporting staff.

A little-known uprising took place two weeks later, on December 9, starting from the Naval Battalion on Ilha das Cobras – without the participation of the former rebels. This time, it triggered a faster and more violent retaliation from the Navy's top brass. With the bombing of the island, the revolt was quickly suppressed, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a ship during a revolt. On the left, we see the ship's hull with people standing, some wearing military uniforms. In the center, smoke rises from the sea, indicating a shot being fired. On the right, the horizon shows two distant islands. The sky is clear, suggesting a sunny day.

Some of those pardoned after the Revolta da Chibata were accused of taking part in the new uprising. Besides 600 prisoners, 1,216 rebels were expelled from the Navy and 105 were forced to board in the holds of the ship Satélite, headed to the Amazon, for forced labor in rubber production. Of those put on board, 14 never reached their destination, being shot during the voyage and having their bodies thrown into the sea. Among the 22 imprisoned in the fortress on Ilha das Cobras, only two survived the terrible conditions of the cells: João Avelino and João Cândido, nicknamed the “Black Admiral” by the local newspapers.