O crime do Catu: casamento e riqueza, crime e poder político no Recôncavo Baiano (1877-1889)

Abstract

This research analyzes the ways in which political power was consolidated and maindtained based on the episode that became known as “the Catu crime”. The case dates back to abril 22, 1884, when portugueses businessman Francisco Maia and attorney Secundino Rabelo were murdered on the side of the railroad, near the Camaçari sugar mil, located in the village of Catu, by a group of 12 men, including slaves and freedman. When the investigation was opened, the mais accused was Antônio Calmon de Araújo Góes, baron of Camaçari, leader of the Conservative Party in the region. After the News became public, the village became a battleground between liberals and conservatives, who were already battling in other areas in Search of strengthening the party for the upcoming elections. For the analysis of the case, the work covers the marriage of portuguese businessman with the young girl Leopoldina Leal, in 1877, and extends until the last trial, in 1889, for the murders that occurred in 1884. Thus, this dissertation sheds light on imperial politics in the last decade of the Second Reign, establishing a connection between Catu and the Court in years of disputates surrounding the dismantling of slavery.