Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales

Manuel Ferraz de Campos Sales (* February 15, 1841 in Campinas, São Paulo, † June 28, 1913 in Santos, São Paulo) was a Brazilian lawyer and from 15 November 1898 to the November 15, 1902, fourth president of Brazil.

During his tenure, was a means to combat the opposition and to enforce the supremacy of the leading oligarchs in the states of the so-called policy of Governors ( Política dos Governor's ). It formed a key part of the political process of the Old Republic. In the years immediately after the proclamation of the Republic of the various oligarchic factions struggling for power in their respective state. This situation resulted in the Federal States to sharp conflicts.

On the federal level, regional power struggles caused a strong fractionation of the political forces in Congress. This fractionation made ​​it to the President almost impossible to organize a stable majority government. To avert the dangers that resulted from this problem for the governance of the country, President Campos Sales prompted a change of control of the mandate recognition in Congress. This permitted the leading oligarchic groups, even an elected opposition candidates deprive the mandate.

Using the " politics of the governors " were able to expand their position of power in the states of the leading oligarchs. The central government attacked usually not included in the internal affairs of states.