On 1 August 1811, the Primera Junta issued a decree abolishing forced labor imposed on Indigenous communities in the northwest. The reform aimed to end abusive colonial work systems that had persisted after independence movements began. It marked an early step toward recognizing Indigenous rights. Although enforcement varied across regions, the decree signaled a significant policy shift. The decision influenced later efforts to integrate Indigenous populations into national frameworks. It remains an important milestone in Argentina’s early social reforms.
