# Law No. 432 of October 12, 1948

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649794](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649794)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-432-of-october-12-1948

## Summary
Law No. 432 of October 12, 1948 is a Brazilian statute that authorized the Ministry of War to open a special credit line for the payment of indemnities. Enacted during the presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law represents a specific budgetary adjustment measure within Brazil's legal framework, reflecting the country's legislative process and fiscal policies of the time.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 432, de 12 de outubro de 1948 (Law No. 432 of October 12, 1948)
- **Type of Legislation:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (applies nationwide)
- **Enactment Date:** October 12, 1948
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Main Purpose:** Authorizes the Ministry of War to open a special credit line for indemnity payments
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 432/1948
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then capital of Brazil)
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-10-12;432
- **Classification:** Instance of "statute" (subclass of written work, document, and rule)
- **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment, indemnity payments, Ministry of War of Brazil
- **WikiProject:** Brazilian Laws
- **Copyright Status:** Public domain (as official Brazilian legislation)

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 432 of 1948 actually do?**
This law specifically authorizes Brazil's Ministry of War to open a special credit line (Crédito Especial) for the purpose of paying indemnities. It represents a targeted fiscal measure to address financial obligations within the military sector during the post-World War II period.

**When and where was this law officially published?**
Law No. 432 was promulgated on October 12, 1948, and published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital at that time. The official publication established its legal force throughout the Brazilian federation.

**What government body was responsible for this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, reflecting the executive branch's authority in financial matters. The Ministry of War (Ministério da Guerra) was designated as the implementing agency for the special credit provisions.

**How is this law classified in legal systems?**
In legal taxonomy, this is classified as a "statute" - a formal written document that creates law. It falls under the broader categories of "written work," "document," and "rule," serving as a manifestation of statutory law within Brazil's legal framework.

**What makes this law notable in Brazilian legal history?**
While not a constitutional amendment or major reform, this law demonstrates Brazil's legislative process for budgetary adjustments in the immediate post-war period. It provides insight into how the Brazilian government managed financial obligations, particularly those related to military affairs during the mid-20th century.

**Is this law still in effect today?**
The source material does not specify whether this law remains active or has been superseded by subsequent legislation. As a 1948 statute dealing with specific budgetary measures, it likely fulfilled its immediate purpose, though some provisions might remain relevant for historical or legal reference purposes.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 432 of October 12, 1948 matters as a historical document that illustrates Brazil's legislative approach to financial management in the post-World War II era. This statute provides valuable insight into how the Brazilian government addressed specific fiscal obligations, particularly those related to military indemnities during a period of global reconstruction and national development.

The law demonstrates the practical application of Brazil's legislative process, showing how targeted financial measures were implemented through formal legal instruments. As part of Brazil's legal history, it contributes to understanding the evolution of the country's fiscal policies and the role of the Ministry of War in financial administration.

For legal scholars and historians, this statute serves as a primary source for studying Brazil's mid-20th century governance, particularly in how the executive branch managed specialized budgetary needs. The law's focus on indemnity payments also reflects the broader context of Brazil's military and financial priorities during this historical period.

## Notable For

- **Historical Fiscal Measure:** Represents a specific budgetary adjustment in post-World War II Brazil
- **Military Financial Administration:** Focuses on the Ministry of War's financial obligations
- **Presidential Approval:** Demonstrates the executive branch's role in financial legislation
- **Special Credit Mechanism:** Establishes a targeted financial instrument (Crédito Especial)
- **Post-War Context:** Reflects Brazil's financial management during global reconstruction
- **Legal Taxonomy Example:** Illustrates the classification of Brazilian statutes
- **Rio de Janeiro Publication:** Published when Rio was still Brazil's capital
- **Indemnity Focus:** Specifically addresses compensation payments
- **Brazilian Portuguese Text:** Example of official legal language in mid-20th century Brazil
- **LexML Documentation:** Cataloged in Brazil's legal information system

## Body

### Legislative Context and Purpose

Law No. 432 of October 12, 1948 was enacted as a targeted legislative measure to address specific financial obligations within Brazil's Ministry of War. The law's primary function was to authorize the opening of a special credit line (Crédito Especial) specifically designated for the payment of indemnities. This reflects the Brazilian government's approach to managing specialized budgetary needs through formal legislative action.

The statute was promulgated during a significant period in Brazilian history, coming just three years after the end of World War II and during a time when many nations were reconstructing their economies and military structures. Brazil had participated in the war as part of the Allied forces, sending the Brazilian Expeditionary Force to fight in Italy, which may have created financial obligations that this law helped address.

### Legal Characteristics and Classification

As a formal statute, Law No. 432 represents a specific type of legal instrument within Brazil's legislative framework. It is classified as an instance of "statute," which in legal taxonomy is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." This classification places it within the broader category of legal norms that serve as manifestations of statutory law.

The law follows the standard legislative process for Brazilian statutes, beginning with draft laws and culminating in presidential promulgation. Its creation was caused by the legislative process itself, resulting in the establishment of statutory law that governed the specific financial provisions it contained.

### Government Structure and Implementation

The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, demonstrating the executive branch's authority in financial matters. The implementation responsibility was assigned to the Ministry of War (Ministério da Guerra), which was the government body responsible for military affairs at that time.

This division of responsibilities - with the presidency approving the legislation and the Ministry of War implementing it - illustrates the separation of powers and administrative structure within Brazil's federal government. The Ministry of War would have been responsible for determining the specific indemnity payments and managing the special credit line authorized by this law.

### Historical and Geographical Context

Law No. 432 was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital until 1960 when the capital was moved to Brasília. The law's publication in Rio de Janeiro places it within the historical context of Brazil's pre-Brasília federal administration.

The post-World War II period when this law was enacted was a time of significant change for Brazil. The country was transitioning from the Vargas era (Getúlio Vargas had been deposed in 1945) and was in the process of democratization. This law represents one of many legislative acts during this transitional period that addressed specific governance needs.

### Legal Documentation and Accessibility

The law is documented in Brazil's legal information system with the LexML Brazil ID urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-10-12;432. This unique identifier allows for precise referencing and retrieval of the legal text within Brazil's official legal databases.

As an official Brazilian statute, Law No. 432 is in the public domain, following the principle that government edicts and legal documents are not subject to copyright. This ensures that the law remains accessible to the public, legal professionals, and researchers without restriction.

### Language and Legal Form

The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil. The text follows the formal legal language and structure typical of Brazilian legislation from this period. The legal citation for this statute is Lei nº 432/1948, which is the standard format for referencing Brazilian laws.

The law's structure would have included the standard components of Brazilian legislation: the enacting clause, the substantive provisions authorizing the special credit, and any necessary definitions or limitations on the authority granted to the Ministry of War.

### Relationship to Other Legal Instruments

Law No. 432 is part of Brazil's broader legal framework for financial management and budgetary adjustments. It represents one of many statutes that address specific fiscal needs through targeted legislative action. The law's focus on indemnity payments places it within the category of financial compensation legislation.

While not a comprehensive financial reform, this law demonstrates how Brazil's legal system addressed specific financial obligations through focused legislative measures. It complements other budgetary and financial laws that together form Brazil's fiscal management framework.

### Preservation and Academic Study

This law is included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its recognition as part of Brazil's legal heritage. For legal historians and scholars of Brazilian governance, Law No. 432 provides valuable insight into the country's mid-20th century legislative practices and financial administration.

The law serves as a primary source for understanding how Brazil managed specific financial obligations, particularly those related to military affairs, during the post-war reconstruction period. It contributes to the broader study of Brazil's legal evolution and fiscal policy development.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-10-12;432)
2. LexML Brasil