Overview

The Second World War was a catalyst for Brazilian-American relations, as well as a building block for Brazilian industry. Once ideological differences were worked out through solid diplomacy, a relationship based out of mutual need brought the Allied powers to victory and Brazilian politics and industry into the twentieth century. Because the United States government was willing to support Brazil as an important ally in South America, the Axis powers were ultimately locked out of Latin America with regards to sea and air base control. When Franklin Roosevelt visited President Getulio Vargas after the Casablanca Conference in January 1943, newspapers reported the importance of U.S.-Brazilian friendship in fighting the Battle of the Atlantic, and the importance of the Natal air base in sending supplies to Europe for the buildup of a massive army to overthrow Hitler and Mussolini. By 1944, Brazil had contributed an expeditionary force to fight in Italy.

(http://www.if.ufrj.br/general/rio.html)