The Peasant Leagues of Brazil (1947-48)

The object of this article is the little studied history of the Peasant Leagues created by the Communist Party of Brazil after 1945. I point out some of the reasons for the little interest that scholars have dedicated to such Leagues, in contrast to what was observed with the study of those that arose in Pernambuco in the following decade. I also indicate how, even after the party was declared illegal in May 1947, some Leagues continued to function. I also analyze how such activities were impacted by a gradual radicalization, crystallized in the "1948 Manifesto". This analysis was based on party documents, editorials published in the press and police reports. In addition to put into context the information obtained from the political scenario, an attempt was made to specify the different attempts to take over these entities.