Rio Branco Law
Encyclopedia
The Law of Free Birth, also known as Rio Branco Law, named after its champion, Prime Minister José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco, was passed by the Brazilian Parliament
in 1871. It was intended to provide freedom to all newborn children of slaves, and slaves of the state or crown. Slaveholders of the children’s parents were to provide care for the children until the age of 21, or turn them over to the state in return for monetary compensation
.
The law was the beginning of an abolition
movement in Brazil, but it turned out to be more of a legal loophole
than a radical measure. Only a few people were freed under the law, while the majority (over one million people) were still slaves. This law had more of an influence in the northern part of the country, which was leaning towards wage rather than slave labor. Many of those freed under Rio Branco Law migrated to the north to work for wages on the plantation
s. The Rio Branco Law was the first step towards abolition of slavery in Brazil, which ultimately took place on May 13, 1888 with the adoption of the Lei Áurea
.
National Congress of Brazil
The National Congress of Brazil is the legislative body of Brazil's federal government.Unlike regional legislative bodies – Legislative Assemblies and City Councils -, the Congress is bicameral, composed of the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies .The Senate represents the 26 states and...
in 1871. It was intended to provide freedom to all newborn children of slaves, and slaves of the state or crown. Slaveholders of the children’s parents were to provide care for the children until the age of 21, or turn them over to the state in return for monetary compensation
Payment
A payment is the transfer of wealth from one party to another. A payment is usually made in exchange for the provision of goods, services or both, or to fulfill a legal obligation....
.
The law was the beginning of an abolition
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
movement in Brazil, but it turned out to be more of a legal loophole
Loophole
A loophole is a weakness that allows a system to be circumvented.Loophole may also refer to:*Arrowslit, a slit in a castle wall*Loophole , a short science fiction story by Arthur C...
than a radical measure. Only a few people were freed under the law, while the majority (over one million people) were still slaves. This law had more of an influence in the northern part of the country, which was leaning towards wage rather than slave labor. Many of those freed under Rio Branco Law migrated to the north to work for wages on the plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s. The Rio Branco Law was the first step towards abolition of slavery in Brazil, which ultimately took place on May 13, 1888 with the adoption of the Lei Áurea
Lei Áurea
The Lei Áurea , adopted on May 13, 1888, was the law that abolished slavery in Brazil.It was preceded by the Rio Branco Law of September 28, 1871 , which freed all children born to slave parents, and by the Saraiva-Cotegipe Law , of September 28, 1885, that freed slaves when they reached the age of...
.