Memória e história oral: elementos para a história dos transportes rodoviários no Brasil

Abstract

The history of transportation was historically underprivileged among historians in Brazil, occupying almost always a secondary role in explaining the various historical processes of the country. Among the research carried out intensified studies in the field of rail transport, given the important role played in the golden period of the coffee production both in the Empire, as in Oligarchic Republic. The fact is that since the 1950, the railway has been set aside to make way for road transport, considered more flexible and inexpensive. This work is dedicated to think writing theme, given particular attention to the uses of Oral History and Memory as crucial sources for their realization. This is possible because of the numerous witnesses available to historians, ready to provide very rich details on the changes introduced by roads. Initially, these changes are felt to the material level, but soon come to represent new habits, new ways of thinking and relating to the world. Understanding these memories and their relationship with this are essential for academic purposes as well as for the construction of the identity of witnesses, who do not see the road just a pile of concrete and asphalt.