Scholars Online: Videos for Readings
Brazil: From Colony to Democracy
The printed curriculum unit Brazil: From Colony to Democracy explores the choices Brazilians faced as the country transitioned to democracy in the mid-1980s and introduces historical forces that informed debates at that time. (See detailed description and ordering information.)
Videos for Readings: The videos below follow the outline of the printed curriculum unit. The headings correspond to the headings in the student readings.
Videos for Lessons accompany lessons in the teacher's guide of the printed curriculum unit.
Scholars
James Green
Brown University
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Former President, Brazil
Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro
Brown University
Introduction: A Land of Poverty and Plenty
How does economic inequality affect the population of Brazil? [James Green - 1:33]
Part I: Discovery and Development
How is Brazil different from other South American countries? [James Green - 1:12]
Portuguese Colonialism
Slavery and Race in Colonial Brazil
The Colonial Economy
Independence Without Protest
Freeing Brazil
What is the legacy of slavery in Brazil? [James Green - 1:19]
Part II: The Land of the Future?
The Making of a New Brazil
The Vargas Era
Brazil Under Dictatorship
How did the military dictatorship rule Brazil? [James Green - 1:55]
Why did the government use torture and what were some of its methods? [James Green - 2:06]
How did the international community respond to news of torture in Brazil? [James Green - 1:47]
Why did some opposition groups use kidnapping as a political tool? [James Green - 3:08]
What economic changes did Brazil experience during the dictatorship? [James Green - 2:02]
Epilogue: Brazil at the Crossroads
The Road to Democracy
What factors contributed to the end of the dictatorship? [James Green - 2:27]
Why has Brazil struggled with democracy? [Fernando Henrique Cardoso - 1:18]
Why did Brazil enact a new constitution in 1988? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 1:46]
What major issues did the constitution of 1988 address? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 0:46]
How does the Brazilian constitution address racism? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 0:36]
How did Fernando Henrique Cardoso control inflation? [James Green - 1:23]
What were the primary goals of your administration? [Fernando Henrique Cardoso - 1:01]
What did you do as Brazil's Secretary of State for Human Rights? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 2:12]
Currents of Change
Do you think Brazil could return to a military dictatorship? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 0:47]
How does economic inequality affect the population of Brazil? [James Green - 1:33]
What are the biggest challenges facing Brazil today? [Fernando Henrique Cardoso - 1:06]
What are the biggest challenges facing Brazil today? [James Green - 1:17]
What human rights issues does Brazil continue to face? [Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro - 2:03]
How does development affect the environment in Brazil? [Fernando Henrique Cardoso - 0:59]
How are Brazilian and U.S. definitions of race different? [James Green - 2:11]
How did Lula's economic policies help him win the presidency? [James Green - 2:26]
