Rio Branco Law

The Rio Branco Law, also known as the Law of the Free Womb went through the National Congress of Brazil in 1871 and was designed to provide freedom to all newborn children of slaves, and slaves of the state or crown. Owners of children’s parents had to either care for these children until the age of 21, or turn them over to the state in return for monetary compensation.

This law was the beginning of an abolition movement in Brazil, but it later turned out to be more of a legal loophole than a radical measure.

Only a few people were freed under the law, while the majority (over 1 million people) were still slaves. This law had an impact on the northern part of the country, which was leaning towards waged rather than slave labor. Many of those who were freed under Rio Branco Law migrated to the north to work on the plantations. It is important, however, to note that Rio Branco Law was the first step towards abolition of slavery in Brazil, which ultimately took place in May 13, 1888 with the adoption of the Lei Áurea.