President João Goulart

A rancher and attorney, he served as minister of labor, industry, and commerce (1953–54) and as vice president (1956–61). His succession to the presidency upon the resignation of President Janio Quadros (Aug., 1961) was opposed by the military because of his pro-Communist leanings. He was finally permitted to take office with severely limited powers although a plebiscite in Jan., 1963, gave him full presidential powers. Goulart’s administration was beset with economic problems and political opinion polarized as the Communists’ influence increased. Goulart was overthrown in a rightist revolution (Apr., 1964); he fled and was given asylum in Uruguay.