Experiences of freedom: strategies of the masters and slaves in the last years of slavery – Jataí, 1871-1888

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the last years of slavery in Jataí with the intention to notice the different perspectives of the masters and slaves in the process of abolition. In this sense, from the dialogue with the documents as: registers of buying and selling slaves, freedom letters, inventories, and crime process, it was possible to point out the tensions and conflicts between the masters and slaves that were tough especially in the decades of 70’s and 80’s in the XIX century. In this perspective, the captive's strategies to confront the slavery and become free can be detected, as well as, the tactics developed by the masters in order to avoid the loss of their moral power and make the abolitionist process slow and gradual. Keywords: Slavery, Strategies, Freedom.