The rebellion's ideology was diffuse, but the main issues that caused it were the general dissatisfaction with the oligarchic First Brazilian Republic, the demand for the institution of the secret ballot, and the defense of better public education.

The Tenentes (English: lieutenants), young army officers that were deeply dissatisfied with the country's political and social landscape, under the command of general Isidoro Dias Lopes, occupied large parts of the city.

Only in the region of São Luiz Gonzaga they were able to resist under the leadership of captain Luís Carlos Prestes of the 1st Frontier Battalion of Santo Ângelo.

By then, Prestes had made contact with an envoy of general Isidoro Dias Lopes, João Franscico, a veteran of the Federalist Revolution known as "Hiena do Cati", who informed him of his promotion to colonel by the revolutionary command, gave him full control of the rebel forces in Rio Grande do Sul and ordered him to march north with his men in order to join forces with the São Paulo rebels on the shores of the Paraná river.

The proposal of Miguel Costa and Prestes was victorious: it was decided that the revolutionary action would continue, but a war of movement would be pursued: the column would invade Mato Grosso.