Capitalist development and slavery in Brazil (1530-1930): an intrinsic relationship to the Brazilian economic and social formation

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to discuss, in general terms, the relationship between modern slavery and the development of capitalism in Brazil since its origins. Therefore, the analysis is carried out in three distinct periods: Colonial Brazil (1530-1822), Imperial Brazil (1822-1889) and the First Republic (1889-1930), as these are crucial moments for the formation of capitalism in the country. To this end, it was necessary, at first, to review the literature on the formation of the country, based on the works of the main interpreters of Brazil. In addition, the analysis focuses on other authors who, when reviewing this period, in the light of a critical perspective on slavery, emphasized the relationships that it establishes externally and internally. The results achieved with this synthesis effort revealed to us the functionality of slavery for the capitalist development in Brazil, as well as its impacts on our economic and social formation.

Key-words: Capitalism; Slavery; Colony; Empire; Republic