ADMINISTRAÇÃO COLONIAL | BRASIL COLÔNIA

Summary

In this video, Bruna Rodrigues, a history teacher, explains the administration of Brazil during the colonial period, focusing on the system of hereditary captaincies introduced by Portugal in 1534. These captaincies were large land grants given to Portuguese nobles, who were expected to colonize and manage the territory. While some captaincies, like Pernambuco, thrived due to fertile land for sugar production, many others struggled due to lack of resources, poor management, and resistance from indigenous people. Eventually, the Portuguese crown centralized governance by creating the position of governor-general in 1548 to improve control over the colony.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Portuguese initially colonized Brazil in 1530 due to threats from French troops, marking the start of Brazil's colonial history.
• 😀 Portugal struggled financially to colonize Brazil and lacked a strong interest in the country, leading to a low-investment approach.
• 😀 In 1534, the Portuguese Crown divided Brazil into hereditary captaincies, giving large tracts of land to noble families to manage and colonize.
• 😀 The hereditary captaincy system was influenced by Portugal's earlier use of this strategy in smaller Atlantic islands, but it faced challenges due to Brazil's vast size.
• 😀 The captains-donatários (captain-owners) were mostly from Portugal's lower nobility, often lacking economic resources, and were tasked with organizing Brazil's colonization.
• 😀 These captains-donatários did not own the land outright; the land remained property of the Crown, which could revoke the captaincies if the holder failed to perform.
• 😀 Key responsibilities of the captains-donatários included defending the territory, administering justice, and paying taxes to Portugal.
• 😀 Captains-donatários had the right to explore the land, manage resources, and distribute smaller plots of land (sesmarias) to settlers, which were obligatory for cultivation.
• 😀 The system of hereditary captaincies was mostly unsuccessful due to a lack of resources, hostile indigenous resistance, and the immense distance from Portugal.
• 😀 Some captaincies, like Pernambuco, succeeded due to fertile land for sugar cultivation, but many others failed, leading to a shift towards a more centralized governance system in 1548.
• 😀 In 1548, the Portuguese Crown introduced the Governor-General system, with Tomé de Souza as the first Governor, to centralize control over Brazil and improve governance.
• 😀 The creation of the Governor-General's office marked the beginning of a more structured administration in Brazil, with the introduction of bureaucratic positions like provedor-mor and ouvidor-mor to oversee economic and judicial matters.

Q & A

What was the main reason Portugal decided to colonize Brazil in 1530?

Portugal decided to colonize Brazil in 1530 mainly due to the threat posed by French troops, which were attempting to dominate the territory. Portugal was forced to colonize the region to defend its interests.

What were the Captaincies Hereditárias, and how were they structured?

The Captaincies Hereditárias were large tracts of land in Brazil divided by Portugal to facilitate colonization. The land was given to 'capitães-donatários' (captain donatories), who were responsible for administering the land, though they did not own it. The land remained the property of the Portuguese Crown.

Why did the system of Captaincies Hereditárias face difficulties in Brazil?

The Captaincies Hereditárias faced difficulties due to factors like lack of fertile land, isolated conditions that made communication difficult, resistance from indigenous people, and a lack of resources to support colonization. Many 'capitães-donatários' struggled to maintain their land and either abandoned their efforts or returned to Portugal.

What were the main obligations of the captain-donatories?

The captain-donatories were required to defend the territory, apply justice, and pay taxes to Portugal. They had to use their own resources to protect the land and manage conflicts, including indigenous resistance.

What rights did the 'capitães-donatários' have?

The 'capitães-donatários' had the right to exploit the land's resources, including natural resources, and to distribute smaller parcels of land known as 'sesmarias' to others for cultivation. They also received 10% of the profits from the production on those lands.

What was the purpose of 'sesmarias' in the Captaincies Hereditárias system?

Sesmarias were smaller parcels of land given within the larger captaincy. The holder of a sesmaria was required to cultivate the land within five years. If they failed to do so, they lost the right to the land, which could then be redistributed.

Which Captaincies succeeded in the initial period, and why?

The Captaincy of Pernambuco succeeded due to its fertile soil, which allowed the profitable cultivation of sugarcane. Pernambuco's success in colonization was also attributed to effective management by the captain-donatories and sesmeiros (landholders).

What changes did Portugal implement after the failure of the Captaincies Hereditárias system?

After the failure of the Captaincies Hereditárias system, Portugal established the Government General in 1548, which centralized administration in Brazil. This new system placed a Governor-General in charge of the colony, supported by various bureaucratic roles to improve governance.

What was the significance of Tomé de Souza’s appointment as the first Governor-General in 1548?

Tomé de Souza’s appointment in 1548 marked the beginning of a more centralized and structured governance in Brazil. His administration included the establishment of Salvador as the first capital of Brazil and the introduction of cattle ranching, along with the arrival of the Jesuits to catechize indigenous people.

How did the creation of municipal chambers contribute to the governance of colonial Brazil?

The creation of municipal chambers allowed Portugal to exert more control over local administration. These chambers, composed of elites such as landowners and slave owners, were responsible for governance in the towns and helped maintain the centralized control of the Portuguese Crown over Brazil.