Introduction

Juscelino Kubitschek De Oliveira was president of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. It was during his presidency that the costly building of the new capital, Brasilia, caused massive inflation.

Early Life

Born in Diamantina in 1902, Kubitschek studied medicine and practised as a surgeon. He entered the federal chamber of deputies in 1934, was mayor of Belo Horizonte from 1940 to 1945, returned to the federal chamber of deputies a year later and was governor of Minas Gerais from 1951–55, when he oversaw many large-scale public building and road construction schemes. Widely regarded as heir apparent to the former president Getulio Vargas, Kubitschek defeated two opponents for the presidency in 1956.

Career Peak

In office Kubitschek sought to increase industrial investment by offering tax incentives and instigating massive road-building programmes. Working to a 5-year plan, the economy suffered when coffee prices fell and industrial unrest became widespread.

In an attempt to accelerate the development of Brazil’s interior, Kubitschek decided to move the national capital from Rio de Janiero to a new site, to be called Brasilia. However, the scale and ambition of the plan was costly, creating rapid inflation and leaving Brazil with a huge national debt. Accompanied by vast spending to assist the drought-hit northeast of the country, the economy ran into serious trouble. In 1961 Kubitschek was succeeded by Janio Quadros.

Kubitschek was elected to the national senate in 1962 and nominated for president again 2 years later by the Social Democratic Party. However, he was forced into exile by a military coup later in the year.

Later Life

Kubitschek returned to Brazil in 1967 and entered the banking profession. He died in a car crash on 22 Aug. 1976.