HISTORY 1DD3 Lecture 18: HISTORY 1DD3- The Challenge of Modernity in Latin America- Brazil Part 1

• School: McMaster University
• Department: History
• Course: HISTORY 1DD3
• Professor: Stephen Heathorn

Document Summary

History 1dd3- the challenge of modernity in latin america: brazil. By 1800, brazil- the principle portuguese colony in south america- had received the largest number of enslaved africans in the western hemisphere. Its entire economy was dependent on slaves, and its creole elite, generally very conservative in outlook, where adamant that slave holding was in their best interest. Like in the spanish colonies, the slaves generally worked in agriculture- particularly sugar, later, coffee plantations. Brazil also had a major mining sector and as a result its creole elite was divided between these different economic interests- coffee, sugar, and mining. Consequently, over the course of the 19th century, brazil"s politi(cid:272)al i(cid:374)stitutio(cid:374)s (cid:449)ere (cid:374)ot dominated by creole-backed strongmen to the same degree as was the case in other. The issue of slavery would always be front and centre in brazilian politics, and economic and social development.