Costa e Silva

ModernGeneralBrazil1899 — 1969

Hardline Brazilian general-president.

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Quick Facts

Born

1899

Died

1969

Country

Brazil

Era

Modern

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)23

Political (20%)35

Influence (20%)49

Legacy (20%)38

Leadership (15%)52

Strategy (15%)41

Total Score40.9

Costa e Silva — Complete Timeline

1967 AD

Assumed the Presidency of BrazilPolitical Action◆ Major

Costa e Silva succeeded Castelo Branco as president, representing the hardline faction of the military. His presidency intensified repression and expanded the authoritarian state, moving away from the more moderate policies of his predecessor.

Military DictatorshipHardlineRepression

Impact: nationaldestructive

1968 AD

Issued Institutional Act Number Five (AI-5)Political Action

Costa e Silva decreed AI-5, the most repressive act of the military regime. It suspended Congress, abolished habeas corpus for political crimes, and gave the president dictatorial powers. AI-5 ushered in the most violent period of the dictatorship.

RepressionDictatorshipHuman Rights Abuses

Impact: nationaldestructive

Crackdown on Student Protests and the Death of Edson LuísOther◆ Major

Under Costa e Silva's government, police killed student Edson Lu

Student MovementRepressionPolitical Violence

Impact: nationaltragic

1969 AD

Suffered a Stroke and Was Removed from OfficeOther◆ Major

Costa e Silva suffered a severe stroke in August 1969, leaving him incapacitated. A military junta took power and eventually replaced him with Em

Health CrisisSuccessionMilitary Junta

Impact: national