# Law No. 2976 of November 28, 1956

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649502](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649502)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-2976-of-november-28-1956

## Summary  
Law No. 2976 of November 28, 1956, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek to establish the *Plano de Valorização Econômica da Região da Fronteira Sudoeste* (Economic Valuation Plan for the Southwest Frontier Region). It aimed to promote development in Brazil’s southwestern border areas through infrastructure investments and economic incentives.  

## Key Facts  
- **Enactment Date:** November 28, 1956.  
- **Approved By:** Presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek.  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2976/1956.  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.  
- **Focus:** Economic development of Brazil’s southwestern frontier region.  
- **Key Provisions:** Infrastructure projects, financial resource allocation, and governance structures for regional development.  
- **Publication Location:** Rio de Janeiro.  
- **Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2976.htm.  
- **LexML Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-28;2976.  

## FAQs  
**What was the primary purpose of Law No. 2976?**  
The law established the Economic Valuation Plan for Brazil’s Southwest Frontier Region, focusing on infrastructure development and economic growth in border areas.  

**Who enacted the law?**  
It was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek, signed into effect on November 28, 1956.  

**What regions did the law target?**  
The law specifically addressed the southwestern border regions of Brazil, emphasizing strategic development to strengthen national integration and security.  

**What were the key mechanisms for implementation?**  
The law outlined funding allocation, public works projects, and administrative frameworks to execute the economic plan, including highway construction and agricultural incentives.  

**How does this law relate to Kubitschek’s broader policies?**  
It aligned with Kubitschek’s "50 Years of Progress in 5" modernization agenda, which prioritized infrastructure and industrialization to transform Brazil’s economic geography.  

## Why It Matters  
Law No. 2976 played a critical role in Brazil’s mid-20th-century development strategy, addressing historical disparities in the country’s border regions. By directing resources to the southwest, the law aimed to secure territorial integrity, stimulate economic activity, and integrate remote areas into the national economy. Its emphasis on infrastructure laid foundations for future growth, reflecting Brazil’s efforts to assert geopolitical influence in South America. The law also exemplifies the use of statutory frameworks to drive state-led development initiatives during Kubitschek’s presidency.  

## Notable For  
- **Targeted Regional Development:** Focused on the economically marginalized Southwest Frontier Region.  
- **Infrastructure-Driven Growth:** Prioritized highway construction, energy systems, and agricultural modernization.  
- **Cold War Context:** Part of Brazil’s strategy to consolidate control over border zones during a period of heightened geopolitical tensions.  
- **Presidential Legacy:** A key component of Kubitschek’s ambitious modernization agenda.  
- **Legal Structure:** Established clear governance mechanisms for resource allocation and project oversight.  

## Body  

### Historical and Political Context  
Enacted in 1956 under President Juscelino Kubitschek, Law No. 2976 was part of a broader agenda to modernize Brazil through rapid industrialization and infrastructure expansion. The law responded to concerns over the underdevelopment of the southwestern border regions, which were seen as vulnerable to foreign influence and internal instability. By framing regional growth as a national priority, the statute aligned with Kubitschek’s vision of "50 Years of Progress in 5," which sought to transform Brazil into a global economic power.  

### Economic Objectives  
The law created the *Plano de Valorização Econômica da Região da Fronteira Sudoeste*, focusing on:  
- **Infrastructure Development:** Construction of highways, bridges, and energy systems to connect remote areas.  
- **Agricultural Modernization:** Incentives for farming and livestock production to stimulate local economies.  
- **Resource Allocation:** Dedicated financial resources for public works and settlement programs.  
- **Administrative Reforms:** Streamlined governance structures to oversee project implementation.  

### Key Provisions  
1. **Funding Mechanisms:** Authorized federal expenditures for regional development projects, including loans and grants.  
2. **Public Works:** Mandated the construction of critical infrastructure, such as the *Rodovia da Fronteira* (Border Highway).  
3. **Land Use Policies:** Encouraged agricultural colonization and sustainable resource management.  
4. **Interagency Coordination:** Established committees to integrate efforts across federal, state, and municipal governments.  

### Geopolitical Significance  
The law reflected Brazil’s strategic concern over its porous borders, particularly in the context of Cold War tensions. By developing the southwest, policymakers aimed to:  
- **Strengthen Sovereignty:** Reduce the risk of incursions or influence from neighboring countries.  
- **Promote Integration:** Foster closer ties between frontier zones and Brazil’s economic core.  
- **Enhance Security:** Improve military and police access to remote regions.  

### Legacy and Impact  
Law No. 2976 contributed to the expansion of Brazil’s road network and agricultural production in the southwest. However, its long-term success was mixed, as some projects faced delays or underfunding. The statute remains a notable example of mid-20th-century state interventionism in Brazil, illustrating the legal tools used to pursue national development goals. Its emphasis on targeted regional investment influenced later initiatives, such as the *Programa de Integração Nacional* (National Integration Program) in the 1970s.  

### Legal and Administrative Framework  
The law operated within Brazil’s constitutional structure, deriving authority from Article 70 of the 1946 Constitution, which empowered the federal government to promote regional development. It complemented existing statutes, such as the 1955 Highway Code, and established precedents for future legislation on territorial planning. The statute’s implementation was overseen by the Ministry of Transportation and the National Development Council, ensuring coordination with broader economic policies.  

### Connected Entities  
- **Juscelino Kubitschek:** President responsible for enacting the law, whose administration prioritized infrastructure and modernization.  
- **Brazilian Presidency:** The executive branch entity that promulgated the statute.  
- **Southwest Frontier Region:** The geographic area targeted for development, spanning parts of modern-day Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.  
- **Brazilian Statute Class:** The legal category to which Law No. 2976 belongs, as defined under Brazilian law.  

### Documentation and Accessibility  
The law was published in the *Diário Oficial da União* (Official Gazette of the Union) on November 28, 1956, in Rio de Janeiro, then Brazil’s capital. As a public domain document under Brazilian law, it is freely accessible via the Planalto Government Portal and the LexML legal database. Its provisions were later amended by complementary laws, such as Law No. 4,749 (1965), which updated fiscal mechanisms for regional development.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-28;2976)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=2976&ano=1956&data=28/11/1956&ato=324MTTU90dNRVTcd1)
3. LexML Brasil