3.1 Early Portuguese exploration and settlement

Portugal's accidental discovery of Brazil in 1500 sparked a new era of exploration and colonization. The Treaty of Tordesillas gave Portugal control over the eastern part of South America, setting the stage for Brazil's development as a Portuguese colony.

Early Portuguese settlement in Brazil faced challenges but laid the foundation for future growth. The captaincy system and establishment of key settlements like São Vicente and Salvador helped Portugal solidify its presence and expand its influence in the region.

Portuguese Exploration and Early Settlement

Discovery and Territorial Division

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• Pedro Álvares Cabral accidentally discovered Brazil in 1500 while attempting to sail to India, claiming the land for Portugal
• The Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, granting Portugal the eastern portion of South America (Brazil)
• The treaty helped establish Portuguese control over Brazil and prevent Spanish encroachment on their territory

Trade and Administration

• The Casa da Índia, established in Lisbon in 1503, served as the central organization for managing Portugal's overseas empire
• It regulated trade, collected taxes, and oversaw the administration of the colonies, including Brazil
• The Casa da Índia played a crucial role in the early development and governance of the Portuguese colonies

Colonial Administration

Captaincy System

• The Portuguese crown divided Brazil into 15 hereditary captaincies in 1534 to encourage settlement and development
• Each captaincy was granted to a donatário (captain) who was responsible for colonizing, protecting, and administering the territory
• The captaincy system faced challenges due to the vast size of the territories, limited resources, and resistance from indigenous populations

Early Settlements

• São Vicente, established in 1532, was the first successful Portuguese settlement in Brazil
• It served as a model for future settlements and played a crucial role in the early colonization of Brazil
• Salvador, founded in 1549, became the capital of colonial Brazil and the center of Portuguese administration
• Salvador's strategic location and natural harbor made it an important port for trade and defense

Expansion and Missions

Jesuit Missions

• Jesuit missionaries arrived in Brazil in 1549 with the goal of converting indigenous populations to Christianity
• They established missions (reduções) in the interior of Brazil, where they gathered indigenous people into self-sufficient communities
• The missions aimed to protect indigenous populations from enslavement and provide them with education and religious instruction
• The Jesuit missions played a significant role in the cultural and social development of colonial Brazil, as well as in the expansion of Portuguese influence

Bandeirantes and Territorial Expansion

• Bandeirantes were Portuguese colonial scouts and explorers who led expeditions (bandeiras) into the interior of Brazil in search of precious metals, slaves, and new territories
• These expeditions, often consisting of a mix of Portuguese settlers, mestizos, and indigenous allies, helped expand Portuguese control over the interior of Brazil
• The bandeirantes' activities led to the discovery of gold and diamond deposits in Minas Gerais, Goiás, and Mato Grosso, which greatly contributed to Brazil's economic growth
• The expeditions also resulted in the enslavement and displacement of indigenous populations, as well as conflicts with Jesuit missions