By ERIK CHICONELLI GOMES*

Thompson provided a theoretical and methodological framework for Brazilian historians to explore the formation and experience of the working classes in Brazil

Edward Palmer Thompson's historiographical approach, known as “history from below”, revolutionized the way we understand the role of ordinary individuals in the construction of history. Born in 1924, EP Thompson developed a methodology that deviated from the traditional focus on great men and political events to highlight the actions and experiences of ordinary people. This movement represented a political and methodological transformation in historiography, seeking to democratize political, social and cultural agency in a period marked by the Cold War and its authoritarian impulses.

EP Thompson is best known for his work The making of the english working class (1963), where he explores the formation of the English working class during the late XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries. Although its focus was geographically restricted, its impact was global, legitimizing a view of history that values ​​the experiences and struggles of ordinary workers. His methodology profoundly influenced historiography, including Brazilian historiography, by providing a model for exploring the history of the subaltern classes.

The importance of EP Thompson for Brazilian historiography is immense. It provided a theoretical and methodological framework for Brazilian historians to explore the formation and experience of the working classes in Brazil. This is evident in the works of authors such as Luiz Antônio Machado da Silva, who investigate the formation of the working class in the Brazilian urban context, and in the work of José Murilo de Carvalho, who studies the construction of citizenship in Brazil based on popular struggles.

In EP Thompson’s work, the idea of ​​“experience” is central. He argues that workers' experiences cannot be understood only through the traditional economic categories of Marxism, but must be understood as complex experiences that involve cultural, emotional and social aspects. This approach has had a significant impact on Brazilian historiography, encouraging historians to look beyond economic structures and consider the subjective and cultural dimensions of working-class life.

The concept of “moral economy”, introduced by EP Thompson, also found an echo in Brazilian historiography. The “moral economy” refers to the social expectations and norms that regulate economic behavior, especially in times of crisis. Brazilian historians, such as Luiz Felipe de Alencastro, have used this concept to examine the ways in which subaltern populations in colonial and imperial Brazil reacted to economic and political changes, often through revolts and social movements that reflected a distinct vision of economic justice.

EP Thompson's approach also influenced studies on slavery in Brazil. Researchers such as Eduardo França Paiva have explored the “history from below” of slaves and ex-slaves, examining their forms of resistance and agency. From EP Thompson's perspective, these studies highlight how slaves were not merely passive victims, but active agents who shaped their own lives and, in some ways, the very structure of Brazilian society.

EP Thompson's impact can also be seen in the work of Florestan Fernandes, who, despite his initial focus on sociology, adopted a similar critical perspective when examining race relations and class structure in Brazil. Florestan Fernandes, like EP Thompson, sought to understand how the subordinate classes shaped and were shaped by historical processes, highlighting the resistance and agency of these groups in the construction of Brazilian society.

Another Brazilian author influenced by EP Thompson’s “history seen from below” is João José Reis, whose work Slave rebellion in Brazil (1986) explores the Malês revolt in Bahia in 1835. Reis uses an approach that privileges the experience of African slaves and their descendants, highlighting their struggles and resistance against slave oppression. This approach dialogues directly with EP Thompson's methodology, by giving voice and visibility to traditionally marginalized historical actors.

EP Thompson's perspective on the importance of class consciousness also had repercussions on Brazilian historiography. In The making of the english working class, EP Thompson argues that the working class is not simply an economic category, but a community with a consciousness of its own, formed through shared experiences of exploitation and resistance. This approach has been adopted by Brazilian historians to explore how class consciousness developed among urban and rural workers in Brazil, influencing social and political movements.

EP Thompson's influence on Brazilian historiography is also manifested in the work of Sidney Chalhoub, especially in Work, home and bar (1986), where Chalhoub examines the living and working conditions of urban workers in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the XNUMXth century. Like EP Thompson, Sidney Chalhoub emphasizes the importance of workers' everyday experience and culture, revealing the complexity of their lives and their resistance strategies.

The study of popular festivals, carnival and other cultural manifestations in Brazil was also enriched by EP Thompson's approach. Historians such as Nicolau Sevcenko have used EP Thompson's ideas to examine how these demonstrations serve as forms of cultural and political resistance, challenging established norms and power structures. Carnival, for example, is seen not just as a celebration, but as a space for social contestation and reinvention.

Another important aspect of EP Thompson's influence is his critical approach to the dominant historical narrative. He insisted on the need to question official narratives and seek out the hidden stories of the marginalized. This critical perspective was crucial for Brazilian historians who challenged traditional narratives of Brazilian history, revealing the voices and experiences of indigenous, Afro-Brazilian populations, and other subaltern communities.

In a broader context, EP Thompson's critical perspective can be seen in the work of Caio Prado Jr., especially in The Formation of Contemporary Brazil (1942). Caio Prado Jr., although before Thompson, shares the view that history must be understood based on the experiences of the subaltern classes and their interaction with power structures. His Marxist analysis of Brazilian social formation complements EP Thompson's approach, offering a critical interpretation of class and power relations in Brazil.

EP Thompson's work not only offered new analytical tools, but also inspired a generation of Brazilian historians to question traditional narratives and explore the rich tapestry of the history of the subaltern classes. His legacy is visible in the ongoing production of work that seeks to unearth the hidden stories of the marginalized, providing a fuller and fairer understanding of the past.

EP Thompson also had an indirect influence on the field of anthropology in Brazil, especially in the works of Gilberto Freyre. Although Freyre and Thompson have different approaches, they both share an interest in understanding social dynamics through the everyday experiences of ordinary people. In Casa Grande & Senzala (1933), Gilberto Freyre examines the relations between masters and slaves in colonial Brazil, highlighting the complexity and ambivalence of these interactions, something that resonates with EP Thompson's sensitivity to “lost causes” and untold stories.

EP Thompson's importance for Brazilian historiography lies in his ability to show that history is made not only by great leaders and events, but also by the everyday actions of ordinary people. His methodological approach continues to influence studies that seek to understand the historical roots of social inequalities and the resistance of subordinate classes in Brazil.

Finally, EP Thompson's interdisciplinary approach, which integrated history, sociology, anthropology and literature, offered a model for Brazilian historians to adopt a more holistic perspective in their studies. This approach allowed for a richer and more multifaceted understanding of Brazilian society, valuing the complexity of social and cultural interactions.

EP Thompson's work continues to be a source of inspiration and a vital methodological tool for Brazilian historians. His commitment to “history from below” and his insistence on giving a voice to the marginalized resonate deeply in a country marked by deep social and historical inequalities. Through his legacy, Thompson helped build a more democratic, critical, and inclusive historiography in Brazil, which continues to evolve and enrich our understanding of the past and present.

Finally, EP Thompson's “history from below” offers a critical lens through which to examine the role of the state and institutions in perpetuating social inequalities. This focus is particularly relevant for Brazilian historians who investigate public policies and the formation of institutions in Brazil.

*Erik Chiconelli Gomes is a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Law at USP.

References

ALENCASTRO, Luiz Felipe de. The Treaty of the Living: Formation of Brazil in the South Atlantic🇧🇷 São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2000.

CARVALHO, José Murilo de. Citizenship in Brazil: The Long Road. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Civilization, 2001.

CHALHOUB, Sydney. Work, Home and Bar: The Daily Life of Workers in Belle Époque Rio de Janeiro. São Paulo: Brasiliense, 1986.

FERNANDES, Florestan. The Integration of Black People in Class Society. Sao Paulo: Attica, 1978.

FREYRE, Gilberto. Casa-Grande & Senzala: Formation of the Brazilian Family under the Patriarchal Economy Regime🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro: José Olympio, 1933.

GOMES, Erik Chiconelli. The National Labor Council: an analysis of its relationship with the labor movement of the time and the press. Dissertation (Master’s in Economic History) – Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 2018.

MACHADO DA SILVA, Luiz Antônio. Violent Sociability: For an Interpretation of Contemporary Crime in Urban Brazil. São Paulo: Appris, 2018.

PAIVA, Eduardo França. Slavery and the Cultural Universe in the Colony: Minas Gerais, 1716-1789. Belo Horizonte: Editora UFMG, 2001.

PRADO JR., Caio. The Formation of Contemporary Brazil. São Paulo: Brasiliense, 1942.

REIS, Joao Jose. Slave Rebellion in Brazil: The History of the Malês Uprising in 1835🇧🇷 São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 1986.

SEVCENKO, Nicholas. Carnival, Tricksters and Heroes: Towards a Sociology of the Brazilian Dilemma🇧🇷 São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2002.

THOMPSON, Edward Palmer. The Making of the English Working Class. New York: Vintage Books, 1963.

the earth is round there is thanks to our readers and supporters.
Help us keep this idea going.
CONTRIBUTE