5 - Expansion

Summary

After the promulgation of the free-womb law, in 1871, abolition was dropped from the institutional agenda, until 1879, when the law was supposed to be in full force. At this point, abolitionists invested in parliamentary strategies, led by a young Liberal Party leader, Joaquim Nabuco. A remarkable orator, Nabuco defended abolition in speeches and presented bills to Parliament, emulating William Wilberforce. Nabuco and Rebouças joined in a new abolitionist association, aiming to connect the abolitionist bloc in Parliament with the campaign in the public space. Nabuco also repeated the Borges' strategy, traveling to Europe and building alliances with abolitionists in Spain, France, and Britain, among others. Nabuco was the abolitionist candidate in the next parliamentary election but ended up not being elected. Nabuco then moved to London, where he kept Brazilian participation in the international abolitionist network alive. At this time, local mobilization grew in Ceará, one of the Brazilian provinces with few slaves. Abolitionists blocked the port there, preventing slaves from being transported. At this point, the abolitionist movement was a national network, with strong international connections. Abolitionist associationism had spread, with societies for the abolition of slavery all over the country.