Oscar Machado : uma trajetória em meio ao metodismo, integralismo e maçonaria (1930-1965)

Abstract

The following thesis aims to analyze the biography of Oscar Machado da Silva (1903-1984), Freemason and important Methodist intellectual, who, besides acting as a teacher and administrator in boarding houses of the same religious denomination, had a prominent role in the political universe, becoming an meaningful leadership of Brazil’s integralism in its two moments of existence; as Brazilian Integralist Action (1932-1937) and as Popular Representation Party (1945-1965). Considering this political leadership and outstanding Methodist intellectual who circulated between the states of Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul, in the period between 1930 and 1965, the aim of this study is to bring up important questions concerning the presence of Protestants and Freemasons within integralism, elements that at first sight were regarded as irreconcilable. Looking closely at these intersections through the biography of Oscar Machado, who was not the only example of leaders who articulated such elements, it is intended to shed new light on studies concerning integralism, addressing the existence of certain autonomy in their high hierarchy, also demonstrating that there was room for common leaders and militants to maintain religious practices and to participate in doctrines that were opposed by the movement, despite these positions being opposed to by the integralist doctrine, without it meaning the weakening of the doctrine. In this sense, with these mentioned issues in mind, once a gap between what was advocated and the effective practices of its best hierarchically situated militants is noticed, new glances and questions about this political spectrum will be launched, helping to deconstruct former positions consolidated by the historiography on the subject. Finally, overcoming the adversities encountered during the phase in which he acted in the Brazilian Integralist Action, despite having faced conflicting situations in the Popular Representation Party, by comparing Oscar Machado's performance in that party and his rise to some important positions in the public administration, on state and federal levels, one can also exemplify what can be considered as the “political victory” of integralism.