# Law No. 72 of August 21, 1947

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647643)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-72-of-august-21-1947

## Summary
Law No. 72 of August 21, 1947, is a Brazilian statute enacted to authorize supplementary credit for public works and budget appropriations, specifically supporting the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. Promulgated during the early post-World War II era, it reflects Brazil’s focus on infrastructure development amid economic restructuring. The law is classified as a formal legal document under Brazilian jurisdiction, published in Rio de Janeiro and written in Brazilian Portuguese.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** August 21, 1947  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil  
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (promulgated by President Eurico Gaspar Dutra)  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 72/1947  
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1947-08-21;72`  
- **Main Subjects:** Supplementary credit ("Crédito Suplementar"), budget appropriation ("Dotação Orçamentária"), reinforcement of the Brazilian economy ("Reforço"), and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works ("Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas")  
- **Publication Place:** Rio de Janeiro (then the capital of Brazil)  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese  
- **Focus Area:** Post-war economic infrastructure and public works funding  

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 72 of 1947?**  
This law authorized supplementary credit to fund public works and budget allocations, specifically targeting infrastructure projects under Brazil’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works during the post-World War II economic recovery period.  

**Why was this law enacted in 1947?**  
The legislation addressed Brazil’s need to reinforce its economy and expand infrastructure after World War II, aligning with broader national development strategies of the time.  

**How does this law relate to Brazil’s legal framework?**  
As a statute, it falls under Brazil’s statutory law, reflecting the country’s republican governance structure and the legislative authority of the Presidency during the mid-20th century.  

**What specific entities or programs did the law support?**  
It directly supported the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, emphasizing projects like transportation networks and public infrastructure critical to Brazil’s industrialization efforts.  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 72 of 1947 is significant for its role in shaping Brazil’s post-war economic landscape. By authorizing supplementary credit, it facilitated infrastructure investments that underpinned national development, reflecting the government’s prioritization of public works to stimulate economic growth. The law also exemplifies the legal mechanisms used during this period to allocate resources, demonstrating how statutory frameworks were adapted to address immediate economic challenges. Its focus on transportation and public works underscores the state’s interventionist approach to development, leaving a lasting impact on Brazil’s physical and institutional infrastructure.  

## Notable For
- **Post-War Economic Policy:** Embodied Brazil’s strategy to leverage public spending for economic recovery and growth after 1945.  
- **Infrastructure Focus:** Directly funded transportation and public works projects critical to industrialization and urbanization.  
- **Statutory Model:** Served as a template for subsequent budgetary and credit authorization laws in Brazil.  
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the presidency of Eurico Gaspar Dutra (1946–1951), a period marked by institutional consolidation after the Vargas Era.  

## Body

### Legal Context and Structure  
Law No. 72 of 1947 is a statutory instrument enacted under Brazil’s 1946 Constitution, which reestablished democratic governance after the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. As a federal law, it applied nationwide, reflecting the centralized legislative authority of the Presidency during this period. The statute’s structure adhered to Brazilian legal norms, including a preamble, articles outlining budgetary provisions, and specifications for credit allocation to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.  

### Historical Background  
The law was promulgated on August 21, 1947, during the early years of the Second Brazilian Republic (1946–1964). This era saw efforts to balance economic growth with institutional stability, following the tumultuous Vargas dictatorship. The legislation responded to Brazil’s post-war economic challenges, including inflation and infrastructure deficits, by mobilizing state resources for strategic sectors. Its timing coincided with global trends of state-led development, positioning Brazil within the broader context of mid-20th-century industrialization drives.  

### Key Provisions and Impact  
- **Supplementary Credit Authorization:** The law enabled the allocation of additional funds beyond the original 1947 budget, targeting critical infrastructure gaps.  
- **Budget Appropriations:** It specified financial resources for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, emphasizing projects like road networks, railways, and public utilities.  
- **Economic Reinforcement:** By channeling funds into public works, the statute aimed to reduce unemployment, stimulate industrial activity, and integrate Brazil’s vast territory through improved transportation links.  

### Related Entities and Relationships  
- **Ministry of Transport and Public Works:** The primary beneficiary of the law’s provisions, tasked with executing infrastructure projects.  
- **Presidency of Eurico Gaspar Dutra:** The law was promulgated under Dutra’s administration, which prioritized fiscal discipline alongside development investments.  
- **1946 Constitution:** The statute operated within the constitutional framework established in 1946, which reinforced congressional authority over budgetary matters.  

### Legacy and Relevance  
Law No. 72 of 1947 exemplifies Brazil’s historical reliance on statutory law to drive economic policy. Its emphasis on public works funding influenced subsequent development strategies, including the creation of institutions like the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in 1952. The law’s approach to supplementary credit also informed later budgetary mechanisms, such as the Provisional Measures (Medidas Provisórias) used in contemporary Brazilian governance. As a product of its time, the statute highlights the interplay between legal frameworks and national development goals in mid-20th-century Brazil.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1947-08-21;72)