Os batalhões provisórios: legitimação, mobilização e alistamento para uma guerra nacional (Ceará, 1932)

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the formation of the provisional battalions from Ceará for the War of 1932. This conflict, known as “Revolução Constitucionalista de 32” has been analyzed, for a long time, in a way focuses in the state of São Paulo, but recent research shows strong involvement of the whole nation in the form of relevant federal institutions, such as the states Federally appointed governors and the Armed Forces. Thus, the first chapter seeks to understand the construction of the government’s case for war, from various speeches and official pronouncements that circulated in the state, given new meanings in the context of war, such as the “Revolução de 30” and the policy to solve the problem of droughts. Also, this chapter looks into various actions against the “Governo Provisório” seeking to destabilize the federal force in Ceará. The second chapter examines the impact of the war in Ceará and the mobilization of the population around the legitimacy built by supporters of the Vargas regime in the state. The overall mobilization of the population is much greater than the number of enlisted men who were sent to the front lines, as can be seen through the various events that occurred during the war, organized by various entities and persons, in different ways. It also reviews the state infrastructure built for the establishment and training of provisional battalions of troops, in direct accordance with the federal policy to fight the insurgents, with the Army and Federally appointed governors. The final chapter aims to analyze the heterogeneity of the provisional battalions and how different subjects, with different social experiences, are among the provisional forces. I also try understand the various tensions that are associated with this process, through the various uses and political contradictions that have surrounded the enlisting.