Quilombos and Cangaceiros
Objective
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- describe the concept of "disloyal opposition."
- explain reasons why some individuals would feel alienated from the established system.
- evaluate the impact of Palmares and the quilombos upon Brazilian history and mythology.
- evaluate the impact of Lampião and Maria Bonita upon Brazilian history and mythology.
Material
Activities
- Write the terms "republican" and "democrat" on the chalkboard.
- Review with the class the results of the last local, state, and/or national election, and circle the party that won election.
- Ask students to describe what the "losing" party did after the election. Did they erect barricades in the street? Did they riot or threaten to overthrow the government?
- Explain that in democratic systems, political opposition to the party in power generally takes on the form of what is called the "loyal opposition."
- Emphasize that in this case, people are loyal to the system of government and society itself and can agree to work within the system to promote change.
- Write the terms "exclusive" and "disloyal opposition" on the chalkboard.
- Explain that exclusive systems shut out large sections of society and promote inequality and that people who want change are not permitted to give voice to their concerns.
- Ask students to place themselves in such a position. What if you were treated unequally in a society that doesn't allow for or protect human rights? What would you do?
- Explain that some people choose reject the system itself and to work outside it. These people are called the "disloyal opposition" because they view the system itself as being invalid and refuse to follow its rules.
