Goulart, João (1918-1976)

Brazilian politician and president 1961-64. A weak and vacillating leader, he alienated moderate opinion by flirting with nationalist and left-wing groups. His administration was plagued with economic problems and with the growing influence of communist party members. He was ejected by a coup in 1964, engineered by the army and supported by powerful conservative politicians in the Brazilian Democratic Union (UDN).

Goulart was linked with the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB) in the late 1940s and was the protégé of Getulio Vargas. He became minister of labour, industry, and commerce 1953-54 and vice president 1956-61. As vice-president he succeeded to the presidency on the resignation of President Janio Quadros in August 1961. He became leader of the PTB in 1960 and, having been accused by the army of nurturing procommunist sympathies against military hostility, the army reluctantly agreed to allow him to become president.