Luís Carlos Prestes was, by far, the most prominent representative of Brazilian communism, having served as general secretary of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB, not to be confused with PCdoB, which had a Maoist inclination) from 1943 until 1980. The "Knight of Hope", as he was known, became a living legend after leading (alongside Miguel Costa) a 25.000 kilometer march into the Brazilian interior in a failed attempt to bring down the Old Republic.
However, he only came in contact with Marxist ideas in December 1927, when Astrojildo Pereira, general secretary of the then newly founded PCB, met with him in Puerto Suárez, Bolivia, and was repeatedly sought after by revolutionaries and communists from all over Latin America. By the time the protagonists of the Brazilian Revolution of 1930 began their plan to overthrow the oligarchic government, Prestes rejected their invitation to become their military leader, stating that all the revolution would do is swap one current ruling class with another.
But what if Astrojildo failed to contact him, or Prestes concluded that Marxism, as interesting as it could be, just wasn't compatible with what Brazil needed? I assume he'd accept the revolutionaries' offer to lead them, and thus play an important role in Getúlio Vargas' rise to power. Would he be appointed to the governorship of an important state (perhaps São Paulo, potentially averting the 1932 revolt), or be given a cabinet post?
I wonder if Vargas would see him as a threat after a few years, thanks to his prestige.
@Gukpard @Guilherme Loureiro @unnaturalmilk
However, he only came in contact with Marxist ideas in December 1927, when Astrojildo Pereira, general secretary of the then newly founded PCB, met with him in Puerto Suárez, Bolivia, and was repeatedly sought after by revolutionaries and communists from all over Latin America. By the time the protagonists of the Brazilian Revolution of 1930 began their plan to overthrow the oligarchic government, Prestes rejected their invitation to become their military leader, stating that all the revolution would do is swap one current ruling class with another.
But what if Astrojildo failed to contact him, or Prestes concluded that Marxism, as interesting as it could be, just wasn't compatible with what Brazil needed? I assume he'd accept the revolutionaries' offer to lead them, and thus play an important role in Getúlio Vargas' rise to power. Would he be appointed to the governorship of an important state (perhaps São Paulo, potentially averting the 1932 revolt), or be given a cabinet post?
I wonder if Vargas would see him as a threat after a few years, thanks to his prestige.
@Gukpard @Guilherme Loureiro @unnaturalmilk