Abolition of Slavery by Princess Isabel, Brazil, 1888

Abolition of Slavery by Princess Isabel, Brazil, 1888

Abolition of slavery by Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil, in 1888. After the deaths of her two brothers in infancy, Isabel (1846-1921) was recognized as her father's heiress presumptive. During her father's absences abroad, Isabel acted as regent. In her third and final regency, she actively promoted and ultimately signed a law, named Lei Áurea or the Golden Law, emancipating all slaves in Brazil. Even though the action was broadly popular, there was strong opposition to her succession to the throne. Her gender, strong Catholic faith and marriage to a foreigner were seen as points against her, and the emancipation of the slaves generated dislike among powerful planters. In 1889, her family was deposed in a military coup, and she spent the last 30 years of her life in exile in France. Photograph by Marc Ferrez (1843-1923).

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