Kubitschek, Juscelino

Kubitschek, Juscelino (zhsəlē`n k`bəchĕk), 1902–76, president of Brazil (1956–61). A surgeon who served as mayor of Belohorizonte and governor of Minas Gerais, he was elected president in 1955. He launched an immense public works program, borrowing heavily to construct buildings, highways, hydroelectric projects, and the new capital city, Brasília. He offered enormous incentives to industry, and the country's productive capacity soared. The huge deficit spending, however, sparked an inflationary spiral, and the national debt reached almost $4 billion. Kubitschek was succeeded in office by Janio Quadros. In 1964, after a military takeover in Brazil, Kubitschek was deprived of his political rights and went into exile temporarily.

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Kubitschek (de Oliveira), Juscelino

(born Sept. 12, 1902, Diamantina, Braz.—died Aug. 22, 1976, near Resende) President of Brazil (1956–61). He studied medicine but entered politics, becoming mayor of Belo Horizonte and later winning election to Congress. As president he promoted rapid development of the hydroelectric, steel, and other heavy industries and built 11,000 mi (18,000 km) of roads. He moved the government from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, 600 mi (1,000 km) inland, to accelerate the settlement of Brazil's vast interior. One price of his ambitious development was rapid and persistent inflation, exacerbated by the need to spend large sums to aid the drought-stricken northeastern region. The military government that took power in 1964 forced him into exile (1965–67). On returning to Brazil, he became a banker.