THE “LEAD TIME”: THE MILITARY COUP OF 1964 FROM THE PERSPECTIVE VIEW ACCORDING TO DARCY RIBEIRO

Abstract

We seek to reconstitute Darcy Ribeiro's performance within the scope of João Goulart's
political strategy and final acts in government, in the rattles of the crisis that resulted in the 1964 coup.
The anthropologist occupies the position of chief minister of the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the
Republic when gains importance the union-popular mobilization impelled by the Planalto, in
cooperation with the lefts, in favor of basic reforms. Jango's objective would be to pressure and
persuade the legislature to approve the reformist program, made official through the presidential
Message of 1964. In this way stands out the Rally of Reforms, held in Rio de Janeiro, on March 13.
Message and Rally constitute complementary actions, materializing the decisive political move of the
president. Darcy Ribeiro collaborates on both fronts. In addition to taking care of writing the Message, he establishes political contacts in order to obtain support for public acts in defense of the federal
government and reforms. In this way, the chief minister of the Civil Cabinet contributes fundamentally
to the final strategy of power implemented by Jango to make the reforms politically viable. We also try to identify Darcy Ribeiro's steps in the events subsequent to the Rally. He will remain at the
president's side until his deposition is completed. Darcy Ribeiro and Waldir Pires, general consultant
of the Republic, are the last members of the government to leave the Planalto, after exhausting all
possibilities of resistance.