HISTÓRIA DO MARANHÃO | De Capitania Rica a Estado Pobre | Globalizando Conhecimento

Summary

The video delves into the rich history of Maranhão, a state in northeastern Brazil. It explores the state's indigenous roots, Portuguese colonization attempts, and the establishment of São Luís by the French in 1612. Despite early setbacks, the region developed economically, particularly in agriculture and commerce, but faced challenges, including revolts and economic decline. Maranhão became a state in the Brazilian republic, evolving through periods of prosperity and struggle. Today, it has a significant agricultural economy but still faces social challenges, holding the lowest Human Development Index in the country.

Takeaways

• 😀 Maranhão is a state in northeastern Brazil, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and other states such as Piauí, Tocantins, and Pará.
• 😀 The state has a population of approximately 7 million people, making it the 12th most populous state in Brazil.
• 😀 Archaeological sites in Maranhão show evidence of human occupation dating back over 6,000 years, with notable findings in São Luís.
• 😀 In the 15th century, indigenous peoples like the Tremembé and Guajajaras inhabited the region, and the Portuguese arrived in the late 1490s.
• 😀 Maranhão became part of the Portuguese colonial system, with unsuccessful early colonization attempts in the 16th century, particularly in 1535 and 1554.
• 😀 The French established a short-lived colony in the region in 1612, but the Portuguese expelled them by 1615, and São Luís became an important city.
• 😀 In 1621, Maranhão became a separate captaincy under Portuguese administration, and later expanded with the creation of the Maranhão and Grão Pará state.
• 😀 Maranhão underwent economic shifts, including the rise of the sugar industry in the 17th century and the cotton trade in the 18th century.
• 😀 The state played a significant role in the 1823 Brazilian independence, although Maranhão was slow to join the movement due to its commercial ties with Portugal.
• 😀 Maranhão experienced several uprisings, such as the Balaiada in the 19th century, which was a revolt for social equality but was eventually suppressed.
• 😀 Today, Maranhão's economy is centered around agriculture, livestock, and fishing, but it still faces social challenges, including low literacy rates and high infant mortality.

Q & A

What is Maranhão's geographical location and size?

Maranhão is a state located in the Northeast region of Brazil. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, and by the states of Piauí to the east, Tocantins to the south and southwest, and Pará to the west. The state covers an area of approximately 329,542 km², making it the eighth largest state in Brazil.

What is Maranhão's population and its position in terms of population size in Brazil?

Maranhão has an estimated population of around 7 million people, making it the 12th most populous state in Brazil.

What is Maranhão's Human Development Index (HDI) and how does it compare to other states?

Maranhão has the lowest HDI in Brazil, with a value of 0.676, which is considered medium. This places it on par with El Salvador in terms of human development.

What historical evidence indicates the early human occupation of Maranhão?

Archaeological findings such as skeletal remains and over 100,000 artifacts, including shells, seeds, and animal bones, have been discovered in areas like the Ilha do Cajual and the Vicente Fialho neighborhood in São Luís, dating back more than 6,000 years. These findings suggest early human occupation of Maranhão by ancestors from the Amazon region.

Which indigenous groups originally inhabited Maranhão?

In the 15th century, the indigenous populations inhabiting Maranhão included the Tremembé people on the coast, as well as the Guajajara and Caapor peoples, both speaking the Tupi language. The interior of the state was populated by groups from the G language family, including the Timbira.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Tordesilhas for Maranhão?

The Treaty of Tordesilhas, signed in 1494 between Portugal and Spain, placed the current territory of Maranhão under Portuguese control in South America, defining it as part of Portuguese possessions in the New World.

How did the Portuguese attempts to colonize Maranhão fare in the 16th century?

The first Portuguese colonization attempt in Maranhão, led by Aires da Cunha in 1535, failed due to geographic isolation, abandonment by Portuguese authorities, and hostilities from local indigenous groups. A second attempt in 1554 under Luís de Melo and Silva also failed. Eventually, in 1612, the French established a colony, but it was expelled by the Portuguese in 1615.

What marked the establishment of Maranhão as an independent state in the colonial era?

In 1621, Maranhão became an independent state within the Portuguese colonial empire, combining the Maranhão, Grão Pará, and Ceará captaincies, with São Luís as its capital. This was followed by a period of intense Portuguese efforts to settle and develop the region.

What was the Revolt of Beckman and its significance?

The Revolt of Beckman, which took place in 1684, was a rebellion against the Companhia do Maranhão, led by the Beckman brothers, Manuel and Thomás. It was driven by dissatisfaction with the company's control over trade and resources. The revolt was suppressed, and the leaders were executed, marking a key moment in Maranhão's colonial history.

How did Maranhão's economy evolve in the 19th century?

By the 19th century, Maranhão's economy had flourished, driven by agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cotton, which was in high demand due to the Industrial Revolution. The state's prosperity was reflected in the construction of grand houses in São Luís and Alcântara. However, the state's fortunes declined after the American Civil War (1861–1865) when Maranhão lost its dominant position in cotton exportation.

How did Maranhão's role in Brazil's independence unfold?

Maranhão initially resisted Brazil's independence in 1822, due to strong commercial ties with Portugal. It was only in 1823, nearly 11 months after the 'Grito do Ipiranga,' that Maranhão formally declared its support for Brazilian independence after the arrival of Brazilian troops led by Lord Cochrane.

What are some of Maranhão's major current economic activities?

Today, Maranhão's economy is heavily based on agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing, with the latter benefiting from the state's second-largest coastline in Brazil. Maranhão leads the country in artisanal fish production. The state is also involved in mining and infrastructure development, with notable projects such as the construction of hydroelectric plants and industrial factories.