Brazilian Slavery and Abolition: The Struggle for Truly Black Citizenship
UBC Latin American Studies・8 minutes read
Brazil imported nearly 4 million African slaves by the time of abolition in 1888, despite calls for abolition starting in the 18th century. The gradual emancipation process began in the 1870s with laws like the Free Womb Law and Centenarian Law guiding the process, but post-emancipation, African populations continued to face marginalization and discrimination.
Insights
- Brazil received nearly 2 million African slaves between 1806 and 1850, totaling 4 million by abolition in 1888, despite calls for abolition since the 18th century.
- The gradual emancipation process in Brazil, starting in the 1870s, aimed to end slavery by the end of the century without disrupting the economy, with laws like the Free Womb Law of 1871 and the Centenarian Law of 1885 guiding the process.
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Recent questions
When did Brazil officially abolish slavery?
1888
What laws guided the gradual abolition process in Brazil?
Free Womb Law, Centenarian Law
How many African slaves were brought to Brazil between 1806 and 1850?
Nearly 2 million
What was the aim of the gradual emancipation process in Brazil?
End slavery without disrupting the economy
What challenges did African populations face post-emancipation in Brazil?
Marginalization and discrimination
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Summary
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Brazil's Slow Path to Abolition and Equality
- Brazil was a significant destination for African slaves, with nearly 2 million brought between 1806 and 1850, totaling 4 million by abolition.
- Despite calls for abolition starting in the 18th century, Brazil officially abolished slavery in 1888, with laws against the slave trade largely ignored until 1850.
- The gradual emancipation process in Brazil began in the 1870s, aiming to end slavery by the end of the century without disrupting the economy or land property regime.
- Laws like the Free Womb Law of 1871 and the Centenarian Law of 1885 guided the gradual abolition process, freeing children born from slave mothers and promising to free all slaves by age 60.
- Post-emancipation, African populations in Brazil faced marginalization and discrimination, with societal constructs around race and hierarchy persisting, hindering true equality and citizenship.
