Pedro Ernesto Baptista
Encyclopedia
Pedro Ernesto Baptista, or Pedro Ernesto as he would later be known, was a successful medical surgeon
who became mayor
of Rio de Janeiro
in mid-1931. His two terms were from September 30, 1931 until October 2, 1934; and from April 7, 1935 until April 4, 1936.
He would later be known as the first Populist
Brazil
ian politician
. His victory in the elections for mayor was partly due to the backing of then-president of Brazil, Getúlio Vargas
. During his term in office, he made several social and populist reforms in the fields of health care
, education
, and indigenous culture (to his credit stands the revival of the Samba
).
He quickly became the most popular politician
in Brazil, and was even considered as a suitable candidate for the future presidential election
s of 1938.
In 1936, however, Ernesto was charged with participation in a communist conspiracy
against the government, and was arrested. He spent the next few years defending himself against charges of treason
, and was eventually absolved. By then, however, Vargas
had already launched his autocratic "New State" (Estado Novo
), erasing the possibility of democratic elections.
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
who became mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in mid-1931. His two terms were from September 30, 1931 until October 2, 1934; and from April 7, 1935 until April 4, 1936.
He would later be known as the first Populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. His victory in the elections for mayor was partly due to the backing of then-president of Brazil, Getúlio Vargas
Getúlio Vargas
Getúlio Dornelles Vargas served as President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. Vargas led Brazil for 18 years, the most for any President, and second in Brazilian history to Emperor Pedro II...
. During his term in office, he made several social and populist reforms in the fields of health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, and indigenous culture (to his credit stands the revival of the Samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
).
He quickly became the most popular politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in Brazil, and was even considered as a suitable candidate for the future presidential election
Presidential election
A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is president.- United States :The United States has elections on the state and local levels...
s of 1938.
In 1936, however, Ernesto was charged with participation in a communist conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
against the government, and was arrested. He spent the next few years defending himself against charges of treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, and was eventually absolved. By then, however, Vargas
Getúlio Vargas
Getúlio Dornelles Vargas served as President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. Vargas led Brazil for 18 years, the most for any President, and second in Brazilian history to Emperor Pedro II...
had already launched his autocratic "New State" (Estado Novo
Estado Novo (Brazil)
Vargas Era is the period in the history of Brazil that lasted from 1930 to 1945, when the country was under the leadership of Getúlio Dornelles Vargas....
), erasing the possibility of democratic elections.