This Day in History: 26 October 2020
26 October 1917
103 years ago, today, Brazil declared war on Germany, and thus entered the First World War on the side of the Allies. The nation had been increasingly threatened by Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare over the course of the first two years of World War One. Brazil's government subsequently sought to amend its constitution to allow it to declare war. The Brazilian foreign minister, Dr. Nilo Pecanha, justified his country's decision to enter the struggle by noting Germany's attacks on international trade. He also spoke about the higher purpose of creating a more peaceful and democratic post-war world.
Although Brazil's actual contribution to the Allied war effort was limited to one medical unit and some airmen, its participation was rewarded with a presence at the post-war negotiations. However, Brazil's three official delegates at the Paris Peace Conference angered Portugal, who had sent 60,000 soldiers into war but only had one delegate. Since Britain supported Portugal in the disagreement and the US backed Brazil, no change was made. In June 1919, Brazil was one of the 27 nations to sign the Versailles Treaty, along with many other Allied Latin America nations, including Cuba, Haiti, Peru and Uruguay.
Want to find out more about Brazil's role in World War One? Click here for more information, or here for a video instead.
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