A late measure: the Courts and the problem of slavery (1836-1875)

Abstract

The article studies the process that led to the freeing of slaves in the Portuguese colonies based on legislative statements and the actions of those in parliament. It aims to show that emancipation, which took place between 1836 and 1875, was characterised not by a slow and steady advance, as is generally claimed, but by progressive renunciation of the abolitionists (namely Sá da Bandeira) to those opposing.