ABSTRACT
Moreover, Vargas's rise to power was far from triumphal. He had failed to win the 1930 presidential election and, consequently, lacked an electoral mandate. In fact, the actual timing of the overthrow ofPresident Washington Luis in October 19 3 0 was a result of a decision taken by senior army commanders rather than the outright military success of Vargas's forces. The
[ 140] military junta had also transferred power with reluctance and their attitude towards the new government and its leader remained ambivalent. In addition, Vargas's source of political power appeared extremely fragile. The Liberal Alliance that had been formed to fight the 1930 presidential election was not an organized political party, but consisted primarily of a temporary coalition of disaffected political 'outsiders' who were brought together by their opposition to Washington Luis and his determination to flout the 'cafi com Ieite arrangement and impose his successor as the next president. Preoccupied with defeating 'paulista imperialism' and pursuing their own personal political goals, the members of the Liberal Alliance were unable to formulate a coherent and systematic political program to put into effect, should they come to power.
