Juscelino Kubitschek - The "Golden Years"

The "Golden Years"

Despite all the problems, Kubitschek's presidency was seen as a time of optimism. The president was a cheerful and charismatic figure that exhaled confidence.

During the 50s, the Brazilian society was in transition from a rural to an urban society. With the industrial reforms, the emergence of the country as an industrial force could not be stopped anymore. This was also the time when household appliances started to enter people's lives. The middle class was now able to buy products that helped in their everyday tasks thanks to the infusion of foreign capital. The "American way of life" started to be implanted in the public's consciousness with radio shows, magazines and the newly arrived television.

Brazilian cinema was at its peak, with many movies being produced every year, mostly comedies called "Chanchadas". The prestige of the Brazilian cinema was such that in 1953 the movie "O Cangaceiro" received several foreign awards. Movie Companies like "Vera Cruz" and "Atlântida" were at their pinnacle.

Radio station audiences, especially for "Rádio Nacional", peaked. In 1958, João Gilberto published his record "Chega de Saudade", creating the Bossa Nova. Artists like Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes came to be nationally and internationally known.

In sports, the national football team became 1958 FIFA World Cup champions in Sweden. Boxer Éder Jofre was world champion, as was the Brazilian basketball team in 1959, in Chile. Tennis player Maria Esther Bueno won both Wimbledon and US Open tournaments.

All these achievements infused a sense of victory and confidence in the future in the Brazilian public.