Discover the story of Luís Gama, André Rebouças, Maria Tomásia Figueira Lima, Adelina, Dragão do Mar and Maria Firmina Reis, important Brazilian abolitionists
The end of slavery in Brazil turns 130 on May 13 this year. In 1888, Princess Isabel, daughter of the emperor of Brazil Pedro 2º, signed the Golden Law, decreeing the abolition – without any measure of compensation or support to ex-slaves.
The decision came after more than three centuries of slavery, which resulted in 4.9 million Africans trafficked to Brazil, more than 600,000 of whom died on the way.
But the abolition in Brazil is far from being a benevolence of the monarchy. In fact, it was the result of several factors, including the growth of the abolitionist movement in the 1880s, whose strength could no longer be contained.
Read more in Folha de S. Paulo
