Escravidão em Alagoa Nova: história econômica e demográfica (1831-1888).

Abstract

The present dissertation, The History of Slavery in Alagoa Nova: Economic and Demographic History (1831-1888), empirically, theoretically, and historiographically explores the lives of captives and free poor individuals within the entirety of Alagoa Nova's society. It argues that black slavery was central to the historical, social, and demographic formation of the region, emphasizing how enslaved individuals were integral to the local economy. This work engages with key authors—such as Marx (2010, 2017), Gorender (2016), Thompson (1998, 2019), Clóvis Moura (2013, 2014), Gramsci (2019, 2022), Chalhoub (2012), and Lima (2006, 2009) — to establish a theoretical dialogue on slavery in Alagoa Nova, grounded in dialectical historical materialism. Empirical sources include post-mortem inventories listing slaves in asset divisions, the 1872 Brazilian census, and the 1880 emancipation fund. Additionally, a 1990 biography provides context for the history of Alagoa Nova and supports discussions of the empirical sources housed in the Tavares Cavalcanti Forum, focusing on the society, economy, and demographics of enslaved individuals. This study concludes that slavery was a fundamental aspect of the 19th-century community of Alagoa Nova. The inventories and emancipation fund illustrate how the economy was built on the labor of black individuals. Ultimately, this work contributes locally, regionally, and nationally to understanding the past and present of a culture shaped by the enslavement of the black working class by white masters. By presenting the history of slavery, we can better understand racism and the ongoing persecution of black people in the 21st century.