The National Security Tribunal in the case of the Great Western railroad workers in the communist insurrection of 1935

Abstract

This research examined the role of the National Security Tribunal (TSN) during the Vargas Era, focusing on its repression of workers involved in the Communist Insurrection of 1935, particularly the railway workers of Great Western in Recife (PE). Situated within the context of the 1937 Constitution, which intensified polarization between capital and labor, and the establishment of the TSN, the study explores how this tribunal enabled the government to implement repressive measures against individuals seen as political and social threats. The analysis revisits judicial proceedings, highlighting the TSN's repressive actions towards labor movements. It underscores the importance of social labor history, showing that workers' resistance went beyond formal union structures, manifesting in various forms of social struggle. Additionally, the paper examines how the denial of the right to strike and the stigmatization of dissenting workers reinforced state repression, creating a climate of criminalization of social and labor movements. Ultimately, the article proposes a reinterpretation of historical narratives, placing emphasis on the voices of workers. This perspective aims to highlight the role of labor struggles in shaping social rights in Brazil, emphasizing their significance in understanding the period and promoting a more inclusive and pluralistic history.