Nationalism, Physical Education and the French mission in Public Force of São Paulo: an imagined community (1906-1913)

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to analyze the São Paulo State interests in the reform of its police, and in the organization of a Physical Education School, and, in particular, observe and analyze its prerogatives regarding to the construction of a national identity. For this was done a historical research which had as sources, government documents and the newspaper “Correio Paulistano” between the years 1906 and 1913. It concluded that the “paulista” militarization aimed a strategic position of leadership and influence in building of a disciplined Brazil, finally, an imagined community in order and progress.