1897: The Childhood Trauma of the Republic and the Attack on its First Civilian President

Brazil's current political polarization is not a new phenomenon; it has deep roots stretching back to the nation's early days. In 1897, the country teetered on the brink of crisis, with divisions so extreme and violent they nearly cost the life of its first civilian president, Prudente de Morais.

This tumultuous period is the focus of the book "1897 - a República polarizada e o atentado contra Prudente de Morais" by Ely Carneiro de Paiva. The research reveals that on November 5, 1897, as de Morais received troops returning from Canudos, a soldier named Marcelino Bispo attacked him with a blunderbuss and dagger. The blunderbuss misfired, and de Morais narrowly escaped, but the Minister of War, Marechal Bittencourt, was killed defending the president.

The assassination attempt was orchestrated by radical Jacobins, who advocated for a return to military rule under figures like Floriano Peixoto, contrasting sharply with de Morais's conciliatory approach. De Morais, known for his cautious and diplomatic style, was often criticized as "weak" and "indecisive" by opponents. The Jacobins, however, viewed him as an "enemy of the Army," particularly after he halved the military's budget. As army expeditions faltered in Canudos, they accused de Morais of weakening the nation's defenses.

This "Jacobins versus monarchists" polarization inflamed public discourse and destabilized national politics. The crisis intensified when de Morais temporarily stepped down due to illness. His vice president, Manoel Vitorino, saw an opportunity to seize power, aligning with the Jacobins and reshuffling the cabinet.

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