What could Brazil have done to modernize its navy for the Second World War?
Short answerStarting in 1945 would achieve little during the war. Starting in 1935, buying two or three modern cruisers would be a practical response to Argentina.
NotesA 1945 start would leave little time to affect the war, so the proposed modernization moves back to 1935. Argentina had bought the Veinticinco de Mayo-class cruisers and the training cruiser La Argentina, while Brazil's response amounted to buying or building three destroyers. The Italian-built Argentine pair carried six 7.5-inch guns apiece, which placed them in the treaty heavy-cruiser category despite their modest capabilities. Two or three modern light or heavy cruisers would give Brazil a more credible response. The coffee crisis is one explanation for limited spending, while a competing view gives greater weight to political will, naval advocacy, and government distrust after part of the navy fought against it. A British Town-class purchase is the preferred option in this comparison. A pair of six-gun 8-inch cruisers is suggested as a smaller improvement that Brazilian politicians might more readily approve.