1930 - Revolt places Getulio Vargas at head of provisional revolutionary government. 1937 - Vargas leads coup, rules as dictator with military backing. Economy placed under authoritarian state control, start of social welfare revolution and reform of laws governing industry. 1945 - Vargas ousted in military coup. Elections held under caretaker government.
New constitution returns power to states.
1951 - Vargas elected president, but faces stiff opposition. 1960 - Kubitschek moves capital to Brasilia. Janio Quadros elected president, but resigns after several months, plunging country into constitutional crisis. 1964 - Goulart ousted in bloodless coup, flees into exile. Military rule associated with repression but also with rapid economic growth based on state-ownership of key sectors.