BRAZIL WWII

Why Did Brazil Enter The War? 

 

                                                                                               
                                                                                                  Brazil was the biggest country in South                                                                                                          America, it balanced it’s relationships with                                                                                                      the United States through closer ties with                                                                                                      the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Italy and                                                                                                    Japan. Germany had tried to get in close                                                                                                        with Brazil by becoming the biggest buyer of                                                                                                  Brazil’s cotton and it’s main weapon                                                                                                                supplier. The leading politicians in Brazil                                                                                                        were divided between two groups, Pro-Axis                                                                                                    and Pro-USA. The United States started to                                                                                                    worry because they didn’t want the Latin                                                                                                        American region to shift away and towards                                                                                                    Germany. President Franklin D. Roosevelt                                                                                                       launched a “Good Neighbor” policy. This                                                                                                        was when the US and Brazil has become                                                                                                      neutral during the outbreak of war in Europe. It wasn’t until Brazil had a merchant ship sunk in 42 or 43 that showcased evidence of German’s ways of treatment for their prisoners, especially if they were Jewish. In the Vargas pendulum policy, article 23, it stated, “ Whatever hostile act against ships from non-belligerents countries in Brazilian waters and airspace would be considered an offence to Brazil and undermine its neutral position.” This article resulted in Brazil declaring war on Germany.  The first article declared a zero tolerance towards actions and orders to facilitate directly or indirectly. Secondly no act would be considered offensive. 3rd article reads no warships or their hostages can be accused of offending the country neutrality. Finally it was absolutely forbidden for belligerents to use Brazilian waters as a naval operation base against enemies. After taking all of these scenarios into consideration, Brazil declared war against Germany and it’s allies on August 22nd, 1942. When Hitler had heard that Brazil had declared war on Germany, he laughed stating, "Never! The Brazilians will fight Germany when cobras smoke pipes." It is said that even today, if a Brazilian says something to the effect that "the snake is about to smoke" a fight is about to start. An additional reason for Brazil declaring war was many nations declared war so that they could confiscate German property such as companies, ships and bank accounts.