‘O que é que você quer ser? carroceiro?’: a labuta dos trabalhadores do transporte em Salvador no século XIX

Abstract

This work investigates the experience of transport workers in the city of Salvador in the second half of the 19th century, using records of urban workers as its main source, which contains data on 713 men. It focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the way in which carters, coachmen, drivers and apprentices developed their own ways of social and work relations that were shared on the streets of the city of Salvador between 1866-1874. From the analysis of the correspondence sent from the city council to the province's presidency between 1850s, 1860s and 1870s, it was possible to raise issues involving urban services such as the distribution of gas, water, meat greenery and cleaning of streets and squares, as well as passengers movement and other services provided for a long time by cars and carts, as well presenting their drivers. Although there was a certain hegemony surrounding the carrying work carried out almost exclusively by African slaves, after the end of the slave trade in 1850, new investments in cities and changes in the world of work had to be made. This contributed to the greater modification and flattening of streets for the use of cars, carts and trams that were gradually implemented in the urban perimeter of Salvador during the period studied.