CENSO DE 1872

Summary

This video explores the state of Brazil during the Imperial era, focusing on the 1872 population census and its socio-political context. The script contrasts Brazil's demographic ignorance with that of the United States, detailing the challenges faced by the Brazilian Emperor in a time of internal and external pressure. It highlights the racial and social inequalities of the time, including slavery, education, and the legacy of miscegenation. The video also touches on the experiences of Afro-Brazilian individuals, shedding light on the complexities of freedom, identity, and the role of women in 19th-century Brazil.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Brazil Empire in 1872 had limited knowledge about its own population, unlike the United States, which knew its demographics 50 years earlier.
• 😀 The Brazilian Empire, despite being a powerful nation, was under external pressure from England and internal pressure from abolitionists fighting for the end of slavery.
• 😀 In 1872, Brazil's first population census was conducted, revealing a deeply divided society with 58% of people of African descent (mixed and black), but a significant portion still enslaved.
• 😀 The census showed a population of approximately 9.93 million in Brazil, with 38.3% of people identified as mixed-race (pardo), 19.7% black, and 38.1% white.
• 😀 Over 81% of the population was illiterate in 1872, a stark contrast to the United States, which had a literacy rate of 80% by 1790.
• 😀 The census omitted Indigenous people, and some complex legal measures like the 'Law of the Free Womb' (1871) were not reflected in the census, creating discrepancies in the data on freed slaves.
• 😀 The practice of manumission (granting freedom to slaves) was often tied to complicated social and economic dynamics, and many freed slaves still faced harsh conditions.
• 😀 The era of slavery in Brazil was marked by a racial and class hierarchy where women, especially of African descent, faced severe oppression, including sexual exploitation.
• 😀 Brazil's national identity was shaped by miscegenation, with Indigenous, African, and European roots blending over time. However, this mixed identity was seen as inferior by many of the ruling class.
• 😀 The Brazilian government's efforts to 'whiten' the population included promoting European immigration and discouraging African heritage, a policy that continued officially for decades after the end of slavery.

Q & A

What was the state of Brazil's knowledge about its population in 1872?

In 1872, Brazil was unaware of its own population composition, despite being 50 years old as a nation. The country had not yet conducted a full census to understand its demographics, in contrast to the United States, which had conducted a similar census much earlier, in 1790.

Why was Brazil's census in 1872 significant?

The 1872 census was significant because it was the first time the Brazilian Empire attempted to understand its population. The emperor commissioned this census after pressure from both internal abolitionists and external forces, particularly from Britain, which sought to end slavery.

What were some of the major population statistics revealed by the 1872 census?

The census revealed that Brazil's population in 1872 was around 9.93 million people. The breakdown was as follows: 51.6% men, 48.4% women, 38.3% mixed-race (pardos), 19.7% black, 38.1% white, and 3.99% caboclo (indigenous). Additionally, 84.8% of the population was free, while 15.2% were enslaved.

What were the major racial and social issues reflected in the census?

The census revealed that nearly 58% of Brazil's population consisted of Afro-descendants (mixed-race and black individuals), with 15% being enslaved. It highlighted the deep racial disparities, including the ongoing struggles of Afro-descendants even after the abolition of slavery in certain legal terms.

How did the concept of 'alforria' (manumission) work in Brazil during the imperial period?

Alforria, or manumission, allowed enslaved people to gain freedom, but it was often a complex process. Many were 'manumitted' but still had to serve their former masters under informal arrangements. Some enslaved people were freed only in old age, after which they continued working for their former masters under difficult conditions.

What challenges did the Brazilian census of 1872 face in accurately reflecting the population?

The census had several issues, such as omitting indigenous populations, which were not included in the count. Additionally, the status of many Afro-descendants was unclear, as some were counted as free but still lived in servitude or informal slavery. Moreover, the legal reforms like the Law of the Free Womb (1871) had ambiguities that affected the census data.

How did Brazil's system of slavery differ from the United States during the 19th century?

Brazil's system of slavery was more entrenched and pervasive than in the United States, and the country relied heavily on slave labor in its economy. While the U.S. had already ended slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Brazil continued to depend on enslaved labor until its abolition in 1888, making it the last country in the Americas to abolish slavery.

What role did religion play in the Brazilian Empire's demographic structure?

Religion was a significant aspect of the Brazilian demographic in 1872. The vast majority, 99.7%, were Catholic, and the small minority of non-Catholics were mostly immigrants, such as Europeans and enslaved Africans, who practiced different faiths. The church played a crucial role in community life and the social structure of the time.

What societal pressures did Brazil face regarding slavery during the 19th century?

Brazil faced internal pressure from abolitionists who sought to end slavery and external pressure from Britain, which was advocating for the global abolition of slavery. These pressures contributed to the eventual downfall of slavery in Brazil, but the process was complicated by political and economic concerns.

What were some of the personal and family dynamics involving enslaved people in Brazil during the imperial period?

Enslaved people in Brazil often had complex personal dynamics, as many formed familial bonds within slavery. Some enslaved women had relationships with their masters, leading to the birth of mixed-race children. These relationships were sometimes based on affection, but often driven by the power dynamics of slavery. In some cases, women were manumitted due to their relationships, but many still lived under difficult conditions.