The debate about the election law of 1846 in Rio Janeiro press

• Grant number: 14/08251-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of Brazil
• Principal Investigator: Miriam Dolhnikoff
• Grantee: Bruna Oliveira da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project intends to analyze and discuss the debate and its repercussions among the major Rio of Janeiro press about the 1846 electoral bill which has reformed the electoral process and it was promulgated in 1846. In order to achieve this aim the following newspaper were chosen to be analyzed: "O Brasil Conservador", "A Tribuna Liberal" and "Sentinela Liberal", being selected for further study the publications between the period 1845 to 1846. The core of the search deals with articles about the debate of the electoral legislation. This research is inserts of the historical interpretations about the representative Brazilian government of XIX century and the liberal experience. The choice of press in the discussion about the 1846 of electoral bill is justified, because its position is essential for the functioning of the constitutional monarchy, the elections were one of the chief foundations and its regulations was thoroughly discussed , the in the parliament. The law of 1846 is interesting to be analyzed because it was the first electoral legislation enacted in the parliament. The law of 1846 regulated the elections in Brazil during most of Imperial Period. This legislation can be understood as a electoral code, so its deliberations touched on all the aspects process this constituents. With its promulgation, this law becomes reference for the legislative reforms others about electoral questions. Last, the option to follow this discussion through of the press is justified, because the electoral issue will bee seen as the major expression of opinion public of period .This is also a very important foundation element for the discussion of the constitutional monarchy.