Figure 1.--There were Fascist movements in Latin America. Brazil had one of the largest. The most important was the Ação Integralista Brasileira (AIB) -- the Integralists. Integralism was a European political and cultural movement appearing in the 19th century. This was before European Fascism which grew out of the Socialist movement after World War I. here was however, some overlap between the two movemnents. It was mostly influential in Catholic circles. Here we see the girls AIB auxilry somewhere in São Paulo state about 1935.
There were Fascist movements in Latin America. Brazilbhad one of the largest. The most important was the Ação Integralista Brasileira (AIB) -- the Integralists. Integralism was a European political and cultural movement appearing in the 19th century. This was before European Fascism which grew out of the Socialist movement after World War I. here was however, some overlap between the two movemnents. It was mostly influential in Catholic circles. The central idea is that there should be a fully integrated national order, cetered on patrimonial (inherited) political, cultural, religious and economic national traditions. Some forms of Integralism focus more on etnicity and other on religion. And above all was the achievement of nationaal unity--an idea at the heart of Fascist movements. This usually meant a focus on a country's core ethnic group. This was possible in Europe, but more difficult in Brazil with its mix of ethnicities. The Brazilian integralist movement was influenced by the European Portuguese integralist tradition. AIB was led by Plínio Salgado. It is believed to be the largest political party founded in Brazil. At its peak it attracted over a million voters. Salgado preached a revival of spirituality as the core of Brazilian nationalism as the basis for a shared identity among Brazilians. Salgado denounced materialism, liberalism, and especially Marxism. He was was violently opposed to the Brazilian Communist Party and competed with the Communists for support among the working class. AIB has Fascist trappingss and was especially among the German-Brazilians and Italian-Brazilians which totaled about 1 million people. It was, however, a very short-lived movement. It lasted less than 6 years as a legal political party. At first Salgado supported the trigh-wing policies of President Vargas, but thenb tried ti seize power (1938). President Vargas then supressed AIB. Some former Integristas would play a role in Brazil after the War.
