7 Colonial Brazil

8/14/2019 7 Colonial Brazil

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COLONIAL BRAZILCOLONIAL BRAZIL

LAH 2020, Spring 2010LAH 2020, Spring 2010


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DiscoveryDiscovery

1500:1500: Pedro Alvares CabralPedro Alvares Cabral waswasattempting to navigate to the Capeattempting to navigate to the Cape

of Good Hope on his way to India.of Good Hope on his way to India. He was blown off course westwardsHe was blown off course westwards

to the Brazilian coast and becameto the Brazilian coast and became

the first European to discover Brazil.the first European to discover Brazil.


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Treaty of TordesillasTreaty of Tordesillas

1494.1494.Divided theDivided the

worldworldbetweenbetweenSpain andSpain and

Portugal.Portugal.


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Early Portuguese SettlersEarly Portuguese Settlers

Degredados:Degredados: first settlers in Brazil were castaways andfirst settlers in Brazil were castaways andcommon delinquentscommon delinquents

Banished from Portugal to remote parts of the empire.Banished from Portugal to remote parts of the empire. Relatively free from political authority in the earlyRelatively free from political authority in the early

years.years. ManyMany degredadosdegredados won acceptance by Indian tribes:won acceptance by Indian tribes:

they learned the native languages,they learned the native languages,

took chiefs' daughters as wives and concubines, andtook chiefs' daughters as wives and concubines, and

fathered a large progeny of half-caste children;fathered a large progeny of half-caste children;

Such 'squaw-men includedSuch 'squaw-men included Joo Ramalho in So Vicente andJoo Ramalho in So Vicente and

Caramur of Bahia - the first Brazilians.Caramur of Bahia - the first Brazilians.


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The brazil-wood tradeThe brazil-wood trade

Attracted the attention of the French.Attracted the attention of the French. 1530: Martim Afonso de Sousa was1530: Martim Afonso de Sousa was

sent with 400 men to found a royalsent with 400 men to found a royalcolony at So Vicente near present-colony at So Vicente near present-day Santos.day Santos.

Brazil was divided into twelveBrazil was divided into twelveterritories and placed under theterritories and placed under thelordship of 'donatary-captains.lordship of 'donatary-captains.


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Salvador de BahiaSalvador de Bahia

1549 Tomas de1549 Tomas deSousa was sentSousa was sent

out as governor-out as governor-general to thegeneral to theBahia.Bahia.

SalvadorSalvador

became the firstbecame the firstcapital.capital.


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Jesuit missionsJesuit missions

Six Jesuit priests came with Sousa beginning theSix Jesuit priests came with Sousa beginning themissionary and educational presence that thismissionary and educational presence that thisorder would develop throughout Brazil.order would develop throughout Brazil.

The Jesuits were sent to stabilize and regulate theThe Jesuits were sent to stabilize and regulate therelations between Indians and Europeans.relations between Indians and Europeans.

Their aim was to convert the Indians to ChristianityTheir aim was to convert the Indians to Christianityand European ways by educating them.and European ways by educating them.


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Indian villages orIndian villages or aldeiasaldeias

The Portuguese Crown determined toThe Portuguese Crown determined toinstitute a coherent polity in Brazil.institute a coherent polity in Brazil.

The Jesuits gathered the Indians inThe Jesuits gathered the Indians in aldeiasaldeias.. Conflict between Jesuits and settlers was aConflict between Jesuits and settlers was adisruptive feature of colonial life in Brazil.disruptive feature of colonial life in Brazil.

The settlers did not want to loseThe settlers did not want to lose IndianIndianslave laborslave labor..


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Founding of Sao PauloFounding of Sao Paulo

Secular clergy believed the Indians wereSecular clergy believed the Indians weresavages.savages.

They could therefore be held in bondage.They could therefore be held in bondage. Conflict between the Jesuits and the firstConflict between the Jesuits and the first

bishop Fernandes Sardanha,bishop Fernandes Sardanha,

1554: Jesuits forced to move from Bahia to1554: Jesuits forced to move from Bahia to

So Vicente.So Vicente. Set up anSet up an aldeiaaldeia at Piratininga, eventuallyat Piratininga, eventuallythe city of So Paulo.the city of So Paulo.


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1557: a new governor, Mem de S,1557: a new governor, Mem de S,who was more in sympathy with thewho was more in sympathy with the

aims of the missionaries.aims of the missionaries.


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Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro

600 Protestant Frenchmen set up a colony,600 Protestant Frenchmen set up a colony,which they called France Antarctique, atwhich they called France Antarctique, at

Guanabara Bay.Guanabara Bay. 1567: The French were finally ousted from1567: The French were finally ousted fromBrazil.Brazil.

On the site of their colony Rio de JaneiroOn the site of their colony Rio de Janeirowas founded and a royal captaincy waswas founded and a royal captaincy wascreated to secure the area from furthercreated to secure the area from furtherincursions.incursions.


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Problems with the DutchProblems with the Dutch

1580: Portugal united with Spain under Philip II.1580: Portugal united with Spain under Philip II. In 1630 the Dutch seized Pernambuco (In 1630 the Dutch seized Pernambuco (richestrichest

sugar-growing areasugar-growing area))

The Dutch conquered Portuguese Angola in 1641.The Dutch conquered Portuguese Angola in 1641. 1648/9: The Portuguese regained Angola.1648/9: The Portuguese regained Angola. 1654: Expelled the Dutch from Brazil.1654: Expelled the Dutch from Brazil. The Dutch took with them the expertise in sugarThe Dutch took with them the expertise in sugar

mills and plantations.mills and plantations. Set up a rival industry in the Caribbean to theSet up a rival industry in the Caribbean to the

eventual detriment of Brazil.eventual detriment of Brazil.


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Brazilian IndiansBrazilian Indians

Indians in Brazil did not belong toIndians in Brazil did not belong toadvanced societies.advanced societies.

The hunter-gatherers of Brazil wereThe hunter-gatherers of Brazil werenomadic and cannibalistic.nomadic and cannibalistic.The correct analogy was not withThe correct analogy was not with

Mexico or Peru, but with theMexico or Peru, but with the

experience of the Spaniards amongexperience of the Spaniards amongthe Arawaks and Caribs of thethe Arawaks and Caribs of theCaribbean islands.Caribbean islands.


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EvangelizationEvangelization

The Portuguese Crown favored aThe Portuguese Crown favored amissionary policy of evangelization.missionary policy of evangelization.

It was the established practice in IberianIt was the established practice in Iberianenterprises of expansion overseas toenterprises of expansion overseas toproselytize among the natives.proselytize among the natives.

Concentrating the Indians in villages andConcentrating the Indians in villages andteaching them sedentary habits alsoteaching them sedentary habits alsogreatly assisted the pacification of thegreatly assisted the pacification of thecolonies.colonies.


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Conflict over slaveryConflict over slavery

The Jesuit model was paternalist although theThe Jesuit model was paternalist although theintention was protect the natives.intention was protect the natives.

TheThe aldeiaaldeia system, was also a form of benignsystem, was also a form of benignintrusion into Indian society.intrusion into Indian society.

The settlers envied the wealth of JesuitThe settlers envied the wealth of Jesuit aldeias,aldeias,and resented the Jesuits' obstruction their effortsand resented the Jesuits' obstruction their effortsto procure an adequate supply of labor for theirto procure an adequate supply of labor for theirown plantations.own plantations.

Indian slavery did not become controversial inIndian slavery did not become controversial inBrazil as it did in the Spanish Indies.Brazil as it did in the Spanish Indies.

The cruelty of the slave-hunts gave rise to moralThe cruelty of the slave-hunts gave rise to moralqualms among the clergy and the missionaries.qualms among the clergy and the missionaries.


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European diseasesEuropean diseases

1562: first epidemic in Bahia.1562: first epidemic in Bahia. Followed by a general outbreak in 1563.Followed by a general outbreak in 1563.

Between a third and a half of the IndianBetween a third and a half of the Indianpopulation of the coastal areas died.population of the coastal areas died.The natives succumbed to measlesThe natives succumbed to measles

smallpox, tuberculosis and other viralsmallpox, tuberculosis and other viral

infections. Famine quickly followed and theinfections. Famine quickly followed and theterrified Indians began to sell themselves toterrified Indians began to sell themselves tosettlers in return for food and shelter.settlers in return for food and shelter.


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Royal DecreesRoyal Decrees

1570: The king declared that the Indians1570: The king declared that the Indianswere born free and could be enslaved only ifwere born free and could be enslaved only ifthey practiced cannibalism or were takenthey practiced cannibalism or were takencaptive in a 'just war'.captive in a 'just war'.

ResgateResgate - wild Indians captured by rival- wild Indians captured by rivaltribes were 'ransomed' by slave-hunters andtribes were 'ransomed' by slave-hunters andbrought to serve on plantations.brought to serve on plantations.

In practice, the legislation was ignored byIn practice, the legislation was ignored bythe Portuguese in Brazil.the Portuguese in Brazil.


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African slaveryAfrican slavery

The Portuguese had been operatingThe Portuguese had been operatingAfrican slave-trade for nearly a century,African slave-trade for nearly a century,

African slaves were more expensive thanAfrican slaves were more expensive thanIndian,Indian,Two distinct advantages to the owners:Two distinct advantages to the owners:

The Africans had the same immunities as theThe Africans had the same immunities as the

EuropeansEuropeans They were considered to better suited to theThey were considered to better suited to the

kind of hard labor required on the plantations.kind of hard labor required on the plantations.


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Expansion of Sugar SlaveryExpansion of Sugar Slavery

Demand for labor in sugar industry of Brazil ledDemand for labor in sugar industry of Brazil ledto enormous expansion of the African slave-to enormous expansion of the African slave-trade.trade.

By the end of the sixteenth century there wereBy the end of the sixteenth century there werebetween 13,000 and 15,000 black slaves inbetween 13,000 and 15,000 black slaves inBrazil, constituting some 70 per cent of the laborBrazil, constituting some 70 per cent of the laborforce on the plantations.force on the plantations.


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ImportationImportation

1585: The white population =1585: The white population =29,000.29,000.

1600: 4,000 slaves a year were1600: 4,000 slaves a year wereimported into Brazil;imported into Brazil;

1650 to 1680: 8,000 slaves a year1650 to 1680: 8,000 slaves a year

were imported.were imported.


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In the 18th century slave imports increasedIn the 18th century slave imports increasedagain due to gold-mining demand.again due to gold-mining demand.

Bahia alone received some 5,000 to 8,000Bahia alone received some 5,000 to 8,000slaves a year.slaves a year.

In the north-east slaves made up about half theIn the north-east slaves made up about half thepopulation.population.

The mortality rate of the black slave populationThe mortality rate of the black slave populationwas so high and its rate of procreation fellwas so high and its rate of procreation fellconsistently below the level of replacement consistently below the level of replacement

Philip Curtin estimates that in the course of thePhilip Curtin estimates that in the course of theseventeenth century Brazil took a 41.8 per centseventeenth century Brazil took a 41.8 per cent

share of the total number of slaves transportedshare of the total number of slaves transportedto America.*to America.*


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The importation of African slaves did not doThe importation of African slaves did not doaway with the enslavement of Indians.away with the enslavement of Indians.

Brazil had been a slave society from its origins;Brazil had been a slave society from its origins;

the sugar industry magnified the scale ofthe sugar industry magnified the scale ofenslavement and introduced a new populationenslavement and introduced a new populationfrom another continent.from another continent.

The Indians gradually began to disappear fromThe Indians gradually began to disappear from

the society of 'civilized' Brazil.the society of 'civilized' Brazil.


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BandeirantesBandeirantes

Bandeirantes:Bandeirantes: active slave hunters in theactive slave hunters in theearly 17th century, when the Portuguese lostearly 17th century, when the Portuguese lostAngola to the Dutch and Brazilian plantationsAngola to the Dutch and Brazilian plantations

were cut off from the African slave-trade.were cut off from the African slave-trade. 1648-51: Rapso Tavares led a1648-51: Rapso Tavares led a bandeirabandeira fromfrom

So Paulo across the Chaco of Paraguay toSo Paulo across the Chaco of Paraguay tothe foothills of the Andes, after which hethe foothills of the Andes, after which he

veered north to the Amazon basin, fromveered north to the Amazon basin, fromwhere he followed the course of the greatwhere he followed the course of the greatriver down to the sea.river down to the sea.


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The men of So Paulo were renowned for theirThe men of So Paulo were renowned for theirskills as trackers and Indian-fighters.skills as trackers and Indian-fighters.

Governors of captaincies in the north-eastGovernors of captaincies in the north-eastenlisted their services to make war on theenlisted their services to make war on theaggressive Indian tribes of theaggressive Indian tribes of the sertoserto and soand so

clear these backlands for cattle-ranching.clear these backlands for cattle-ranching.

It was theIt was the bandeirantesbandeirantes of So Paulo whoof So Paulo whowould make the first gold strikes in Minaswould make the first gold strikes in MinasGerais in the 1690s, following these up withGerais in the 1690s, following these up with

new strikes in Gois and the Mato Grosso.new strikes in Gois and the Mato Grosso.


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the Jesuits also went in search ofthe Jesuits also went in search ofIndians to convert in their missions.Indians to convert in their missions. As disease decimated the tribes onAs disease decimated the tribes on

the coast, the priests ranged inlandthe coast, the priests ranged inlandand founded new mission stations.and founded new mission stations.

They found themselves inThey found themselves incompetition with the settlers of Saocompetition with the settlers of SaoPaulo, who claimed a right to a sharePaulo, who claimed a right to a shareof Indian labor.of Indian labor.


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Jesuit Antonio Vieira,Jesuit Antonio Vieira,

Achieved great fame as a preacher, diplomat andAchieved great fame as a preacher, diplomat andconfessor to the king of Portugal.confessor to the king of Portugal.

Vieira denounced slave-hunting and instituted Jesuit-Vieira denounced slave-hunting and instituted Jesuit-runrun aldeiasaldeias similar those in Paraguay.similar those in Paraguay.

The king issued a decree in 1655 forbidding theThe king issued a decree in 1655 forbidding theenslavement of Indians. But even though the Jesuitsenslavement of Indians. But even though the Jesuitswere successful in persuading many Indian tribes towere successful in persuading many Indian tribes toconvert and settle voluntarily in the mission villages,convert and settle voluntarily in the mission villages,their promises of humane treatment were underminedtheir promises of humane treatment were underminedby epidemics of European diseases - which carried offby epidemics of European diseases - which carried off

large numbers of natives - and by the harassment oflarge numbers of natives - and by the harassment ofthe Indians by Brazilian settlers anxious for manpower.the Indians by Brazilian settlers anxious for manpower.

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7 Colonial Brazil