User:Shadowowl/Brazilian Northeast exodus

Countryside scene in Northeast Region, Brazil. Here, locals from Caraúbas do Piauí on a "pau-de-arara" style truck.

Northeastern migration or Northeast Exodus is a secular process migration of people from the Northeast Region of Brazil to other parts of the country, especially the south-central areas. This demographic movement had and has great relevance in the history of migration in Brazil, since the days of the Brazilian Empire.

The economic stagnation, droughts and economic prosperity of other regions of Brazil were determining factors in the beginning of the Northeastern migratory process. With the onset of "First Rubber Cycle" in 1879, the Northeast populations migrated to the Amazon region, a fact that is repeated with the "Second Rubber Cycle" during World War II. With the peak of industrialization of Brazil, between the 1950s and 1980, the Northeastern migration to the Southeast region, especially to states like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, was intense, making the capitals of these states (São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) major pole of attraction for these populations.

With the structural improvement in other regions of Brazil, additionally to problems that arose in big cities because of overpopulation, the Northeasteners' migration has decreased considerably. Although Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo continue to be important poles of attraction, "polynuclear" migration has become more evident. Between the 1980s and 1990 the migration to Southeast decreased and there were also migrations to the region of the Federal District and once again for the Amazon region.

Causes

There are still people suffering from constant droughts in the Northeastern outback. The poorest states are Maranhão, Alagoas and Piauí.

See also: Drought in Northeastern Brazil

The Northeastern migration to the Southeast of the country, especially to São Paulo, was a very important demographic phenomenon mostly from the 1930s (during the Vargas Era), when the number of domestic migrants exceeded that of immigrants coming from other countries, making this very intense migration.

The strong economic and industrial development (1930-1980), of the Southeast, particularly São Paulo, thanks to the accumulation of capital in the coffee sector since the nineteenth century and the protectionist policies and import substitution that relatively favored region. In contrast, the Northeast region, still retained old features: agriculture backward and poorly diversified, stagnant economy, large landowners, the concentration of wealth and not very diversified industry and low productivity; beyond the natural phenomenon of constant drought  (see: droughts in brazil). The distinguishing characteristics of these two regions, as well as accentuate regional differences, formed a setting conducive to northeastern migration, especially in urban areas.

Another factor that contributed to the increase of the northeastern migration during this period was the construction of Brasília, in the Midwest, which attracted large population groups to work building the new federal capital of Brazil.

Notable migrants

Some Northeastern migrants have achieved relative success in nation wide. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil, and Luiza Erundina, elected the first woman mayor of São Paulo, are two examples of Northeastern migrants who have excelled in the national political scene.

Other notable Northeastern migrants were Assis Chateaubriand, who founded the São Paulo Art Museum (MASP) and TV Tupi; José Ermírio de Moraes, who created in São Paulo the Votorantim Group; Casimiro Montenegro Filho, who founded ITA and CTA, institutions that were the embryo of Embraer, as well as pioneer of CAN; Mario Schenberg, widely considered the most important theoretical physicist from Brazil, who was elected twice state representative by São Paulo; among others. 

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  Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva migrated with his family by the age of seven from Caetés, Pernambuco.
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  Luiza Erundina, born in Uiraúna, Paraíba, and elected the woman mayor of São Paulo city in 1988.
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  Gilberto Gil, born in Salvador, Bahia, moved to São Paulo in 1965.
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  Casimiro Montenegro Filho, born in Fortaleza, Ceará, moved to Rio de Janeiro at the age of 19.