The Public Aid Commission in Piauí in the context of the drought in the 19th century (1877-1879)

Abstract

The present work aims to weave some considerations about the Public Relief Commission in Piauí within the context of the drought in the eighteenth century Piauí as having as object of study the free workers and migrants in the great drought of the triennial 1877-1879. We seek to investigate and problematise how this Commission acted in the context of drought and public calamity. Furthermore, we also looked at the various demands of migrants coming from the most diverse countries. Finally, this article is the result of a study which problematizes the discourses of assistencialism and progress so widespread in that period as means to justify the exploitation of this mass of free workers and migrants.