Spring 2004

AMS 395C • Brazilian Left: 1900-present

Course Description

This course examines the effects of immigration and anarchist ideas from southern Europe at the turn of the century, social conditions, labor unrest starting early in the century, the struggles between Communism and anarchism, the leftist revolution of 1935, the subsequent repression of the Left, and the career of Luiz Carlos Prestes. Attention is given to European movements, Moscow's switches (of Comintern and post-Comintern policy), and World War II, as they affected the Brazilian Left. Other matters: The schism that followed Khruschev's Destalinization speech, the Catholic Left, intellectuals, Trotskyites, the influences of China, Cuba and "nationalism," and "peasant leagues." Also examined: the schisms in the Left following the 1964 military takeover, the Left's efforts at recovery, including terrorism, the Left since Brazil's redemocratization, labor leader Lula, the Workers' party, the CUT and other recent labor organizations, student unions, liberation theology, and the effects in Brazil of the downfall of Communism in Europe.

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