Mr. Citizen Manoel Inácio and the conquest of citizenship: The black peasantry of Morro Alto and the Republic that was

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the possibilities of conquest of citizen rights by the black peasantry of Rio Grande do Sul, the southern Brazilian state, during the First Republic. This state's northern coast is our locus of observation. We contest, or at least try to relativize, the bibliography that emphasizes the limitations and obstacles faced by this population group, which emerged out of slavery, to reach these prerogatives. We try to demonstrate attempts and success to achieve these aims through three important questions: the regular payment of taxes, access to police and justice, and involvement in the military.