Primeira fase do Programa Nuclear Brasileiro (1946 - 1955)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the First Phase of the Brazilian Nuclear Program (1946-1955). The primary objective of this research was to analyze the first phase of the Brazilian nuclear program, its aspirations within the global nuclear order, and its political and diplomatic implications. The research sought to analyze Brazil's strategies to meet its energy demands; understand how the United States limited Brazil's nuclear options; understand the actions taken in the pursuit of Brazilian nuclear autonomy; examine the conflicts and circumstances that led to dismissal Álvaro Alberto's resignation as president of the CNPq (National Council for Nuclear Research), and highlight the importance of nuclear energy and its potential applications. It also contributes to understanding the commitment of so many generations of scientists, engineers, politicians, civilians, and military personnel. The dissertation established that the main factors in Admiral Álvaro Alberto's resignation were the policy of specific compensation, issues of national sovereignty, and the search for other international partners, which fostered a severe policy of prohibition and persecution by the United States government. These factors ultimately led to the end of the first phase of the Brazilian nuclear program. Within the field of History of Science, the research focused specifically on the Brazilian delegation's participation in the UN Atomic Energy Commission meetings in 1946, up to the conflicts that led to Admiral Álvaro Alberto's resignation as president of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in 1955. Primary sources included Admiral Álvaro Alberto's personal collection, the archives of the CNPq Memorial Center, and the archives of the United States Department of State. These sources indicated that Brazil sought to master the full nuclear energy cycle for peaceful and industrial purposes, but the persecution of the Brazilian nuclear program's ambitions, combined with the political instability of Getúlio Vargas's second administration, led to the end of the first phase of the Brazilian nuclear program.