Getúlio Vargas (1882-1954) is arguably the most important Brazilian political figure of the twentieth century. From a wealthy landholding family in the south, Vargas became interim president in 1930 and then ruled the country until 1945. In 1937, he created the Estado Novo [New State], an authoritarian regime that relied on nationalism to garner support and legitimacy.

Although Vargas flirted with an alliance with Germany in the late 1930s and considered remaining neutral in World War II, Brazil ultimately became an active participant in the war on the side of the Allies. During this period of tremendous political and social change, Vargas reconfigured politics and significantly strengthened the role of the State in developing economic and social policies. He also encouraged new notions of nationalism, promoted ideas of racial democracy, and expanded the State's presence in the cultural arena.

Ousted from power in 1945, Vargas returned through a democratic election in 1950 with a populist program that relied on working-class and urban middle-class support as he nationalized oil production and other essential industries and carried out social programs that benefitted the lower classes. Pressured by the military and other opponents to leave office in 1954 before the end of his mandate, Vargas responded to that ultimatum by dramatically committing suicide in his bedroom at the presidential palace. A million people mourned his death on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Many historians have argued that the nationalist, anti-imperialist, and pro-working class policies that his anointed successor President João Goulart promoted in the early 1960s were among the reasons that the military carried out a coup d’état in 1964 and remained in the control of the State for twenty-one years.