Located in the Laranjeiras neighborhood, Palácio Guanabara was the target of an armed attack in the early hours of May 11, 1938. The goal of the attack on the presidential residence was to overthrow Getúlio Vargas. And, if necessary, to assassinate the President of the Republic.
The coup attempt was carried out mainly by military personnel, many of them former members of the defunct Brazilian Integralist Action (AIB). The far-right group that, keeping an eye on Mussolini's Italy and Hitler's Germany, developed a green-and-yellow fascism.
Galinha Verde - a marchinha that satirized members of the AIB. Performer: Marilu, 1942/43
Just like other political organizations across the national territory, the AIB was outlawed when Vargas staged a coup and instituted a dictatorial regime, the Estado Novo, in November 1937. The promises that the integralists would be part of the new government were not fulfilled, and Getúlio went from ally to enemy.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a military parade. From left to right, we see a crowd of uniformed men walking in formation. They are wearing black tunics with buttons and white trousers. On the right, there are people watching the parade. In the background, there are trees and old buildings. On the left, there is an old car parked.Um ano antes, em 1937, os integralistas haviam mostrado sua força e disposição de combate em desfile pelas principais vias
do Rio de Janeiro.
Fotógrafo desconhecido. Arquivo Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.
The coup attempt, led by lieutenant Severo Fournier, involved seizing arsenals, vessels, and buildings of the Armed Forces, arresting authorities, and freeing detained integralists, in addition to the assault on the Palácio Guanabara. However, the withdrawal of many volunteers and the lack of preparation among those who showed up made the coup attempt a fiasco.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white newspaper, featuring a prominent headline at the top. The headline reads "THEY STORMED GUANABARA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF BRAZIL!" Below it, there are several subheadings and smaller blocks of text containing information about historical events. In the center, there is a photo of a person in formal attire, holding a document. Below the main headline, "O GLOBO" is written in larger letters.Primeira página do jornal
O Globo, impressa poucas horas após os acontecimentos. Rio de Janeiro – 1938 -
O Globo
.
The attack on the president lasted through the night, but it failed in the face of improvised defense by the Vargas family and staff on duty. With the arrival of reinforcements to defend the palace, Fournier and other military men deserted, disappearing into the woods of Morro Mundo Novo. Nine of the detained rebels were shot behind Guanabara Palace – a fact that the press, under censorship, never reported.
The attack made Getúlio Vargas's popularity increase even further. As for those involved in the attack, they were progressively detained. More than a thousand people were arrested, among them Severo Fournier, who spent years in a cell at Forte da Laje, three kilometers from Urca beach.
