As drogas do sertão e a Amazônia colonial (1677-1777)

Abstract

The present work is centered on the economic activity of drugs in the sertão, considered as the main economic activity in the Amazon during the colonial period. During the 20th century, it was agreed in much of historiography that this economic activity was under a missionary monopoly, mainly by the members of the Society of Jesus. And that, after the expulsion of the Jesuits, this predominance fell under the settlements of Indians created during the reign of D. José I, almost as direct heirs of the Jesuit monopoly. This thesis proposes a review of this perspective, seeking to demonstrate the active participation of other subjects in this economic activity, especially individuals. From the analysis of the sources, it is possible to highlight the participation of these subjects in the activity of drugs in the hinterland, and, at different times, it is possible to see the predominance of these individuals at the expense of both missionaries and canoes in Indian settlements. The present work is focused on the relationships, exercised in the activity of drugs in the sertão, within the colony itself, in a space commonly known as the Portuguese Amazon.