The article suggests a reflection on the insertion means of the artisans in the Rio de Janeiro political community, during the 18th century. For this purpose it focus the artisan’s brotherhoods, considered as a socialization forms, that has as reference the catholic church and the monarchy. The expertise in the trade was a criterion for the admission, be the brothers free, freed men or slaves. In particular, are analyzed the cases of Saint George’s brotherhood - that joined together basically the iron and fire trades - and Saint Joseph’s brotherhood - that brought together carpenters, masons and joiners. In general terms, the objective is to investigate the nature and the conditions of citizenship of the trades in a society of the old Portuguese regime, from the relations between the brotherhoods, the craftsmen and the municipal council.
citizenship; brotherhood; welfare