ABSTRACT
It was not a new historical development in Brazil for senior military commanders to intervene at times of grave national crisis, overthrow the head of the government and suddenly find themselves in charge of the country. In 1930 they had quickly handed over power to civilian politicians. A similar option was not so readily available in April1964. In fact, the situation was likened to 1889 when it had been considered necessary to hold on to high political office. A paramount concern was the possibility of civil war because pro-Goulart forces were believed to have prepared contingency plans involving a resort to violence should the right wing stage a coup. To counter this perceived threat three high-ranking generals representing the army, navy and air force respectively formed an interim government known as the Revolutionary Supreme Command ( Comando Supremo Revoluciondrio). The senior military commander in Rio, General Artur da Costa e Silva, headed the new junta.
