HistoryData
war1934

1934 conflict in São Paulo, Brazil

October 7, 1934

A 1934 street clash between anti-fascists and Integralists in São Paulo that catalyzed the formation of the National Liberation Alliance against the Vargas government.

Quick Facts

Year
1934
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
October 7, 1934
Total deaths
7 people
Wounded
approximately 30 people
Integralist deaths
3 people
Police/guard deaths
2 police officers and 1 civil guard
AIB rally purpose
Two-year anniversary of the Integralist Manifesto

By the Numbers

71,934
Date
7people
Total deaths
30people
Wounded
3people
Integralist deaths

Location

Map of São Paulo, BrazilMap of São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo, Brazil

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Brazilian Integralist Action (AIB) scheduled a rally at Praça da Sé on October 7, 1934, to mark the second anniversary of the Integralist Manifesto. Upon learning of this plan, anti-fascist groups in São Paulo organized without central leadership to prevent the rally from proceeding, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

Event

Left-wing anti-fascists and AIB Integralists clashed in the center of São Paulo at Praça da Sé. The uncoordinated but determined anti-fascist forces confronted the Integralist rally, resulting in seven deaths — one anti-fascist student, three Integralists, two police officers, and one civil guard — and roughly thirty wounded.

Consequence

The battle became a symbol of the anti-fascist movement in Brazil. The identification of young militant Tobias Warchavski among the dead sparked a political campaign against the Getúlio Vargas government's repressive policies. Combined with broader anti-fascist sentiment, this pressure contributed to the formation of the National Liberation Alliance by the Brazilian Communist Party.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Anti-fascists (left-wing forces, São Paulo)
Estimated Casualties1

Side B

1 belligerent

Brazilian Integralist Action (AIB)
Estimated Casualties3
Total Casualties (all sides)
7
Outcome
Inconclusive street clash; AIB rally disrupted; seven killed and ~30 wounded

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19341934193119321933193519361937Balkan international cooperation organization1934 FIFA World Cup — 2nd FIFA World Cup, held in ItalyNight of the Long Knives — purge that took place in Nazi Germany from June 30 to July 2, 19341934 protest by dairy farmers in Illinois1934 battle of the Soviet invasion of Xinjiang1934 FIFA World Cup qualification — football tournamentBattle of Kashgar took place in 1934 during the Xinjiang Wars1934 European Athletics Championships — 1934 edition of the European Athletics Championshipsbattle-of-praca-da-se-1934