Rodrigues Alves

Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves was a major Brazilian statesman. He served as the fifth president of Brazil from 1902 to 1906.

Alves was born in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo, in 1848. He studied law at the Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco. His career began in local government as a councilman and prosecutor. He later served in the state house of representatives. Alves was known for believing that education should be free and compulsory. He also served as the president of the province of São Paulo in 1887. During this time, he was a member of the conservative party. His views on the emancipation of slaves led some to call him a "Slavocrat."

After the proclamation of the Republic, Alves transitioned into new roles. He served as a delegate for São Paulo in the Constitutional Assembly. He also held the position of Treasury Secretary twice during the 1890s. In 1902, he resigned from his state presidency to run for the national presidency. He won the election with 91% of the vote. His main goal was to improve the sanitation of Rio de Janeiro. At that time, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil. Alves believed that poor sanitation weakened the nation and harmed its global image. The city's population had doubled, making it difficult to manage public health.

To address these issues, Alves appointed highly capable experts to his cabinet. He chose Oswaldo Cruz to manage public health. He also appointed Pereira Passos as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.

Cruz focused on eliminating diseases like yellow fever and the bubonic plague. These diseases were spread by rats and mosquitoes that were common in crowded housing. The work was difficult and faced much skepticism from the public. Some people believed the government was wasting money. Local newspapers even mocked Cruz and his assistants. Despite this, the health measures were very effective. In 1903, yellow fever caused 584 deaths. By 1904, deaths dropped to 53. By 1906, the plague had practically disappeared.

In November 1904, the government issued a mandate for smallpox vaccinations. This decision led to the Vaccine Revolt. Many poor citizens saw mandatory vaccination as an intrusion into their private lives. However, after this revolt, opposition to the vaccines began to fade. Other cities in Brazil began to follow Rio de Janeiro's example for healthcare. While Cruz managed health, Mayor Pereira Passos managed urban renewal. He wanted Rio de Janeiro to look like modern European cities. He extended the port and demolished old blocks of housing. This process displaced many marginalized families. These workers were forced to move to the suburbs or the rural countryside. This move made their daily travel much more expensive.

Alves used Brazil's wealth to fund these massive urban changes. At the time, Brazil produced 97% of the world's rubber. This income allowed for the renovation of transit and power systems. The city also saw the arrival of the first automobiles. To maintain order, the government banned beggars and livestock from the streets. They also forbade spitting in public. These changes helped modernize the capital. Other cities, such as São Paulo, also began to grow rapidly during this era. Additionally, the new capital of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, was built during this period of growth.

Alves also managed important foreign relations and border issues. His foreign minister, José Maria da Silva Paranhos, helped resolve disputes with several neighbors. These included Bolivia, Uruguay, British Guiana, and Dutch Guyana. In 1903, Brazil integrated the state of Acre into its territory. This happened through the Treaty of Petrópolis following a four-year conflict. Brazil paid 2 million pounds sterling to Bolivia as part of the deal. Bolivia also agreed to build the Madeira-Mamoré Railroad. While Alves was respected by the nation, he was often viewed with suspicion by republican politicians. He was a monarchist, which made some leaders wary of his true intentions.

In 1918, Rodrigues Alves ran for president again. He won the election with over 99% of the vote. He was scheduled to take office on November 15, 1918. However, he fell ill during the Spanish flu pandemic. He died on January 16, 1919, before he could begin his second term. His vice-president, Delfim Moreira, succeeded him as president. Alves's life reflects a period of massive transition for Brazil. He helped move the country toward modern sanitation, urban design, and international diplomacy.