Rebirth of an Empire "O Renascimento de um Império"
- Thread starter Lusitania
- Start date
Lusitania
Donor
Thank You, glad to have you aboard. Hope you keep enjoying the show.
Nice way of inserting Princess Charlotte into the TL.
Thank You, but Pombal deserves all the praise, he had given Portugal respect amongst his fellow European government eyes for the first time since the 15th century. When he called the English Embassador to discuss the proposition of English princess being the next Portuguese queen he was lost for words at first.
In reality there was a ever growing line of possible suitors knocking on the door. Hon. Robert Walpole was so exited that he personally made the trip from Lisboa to London. The English government's decission was made that same day and pride and protocol was the only thing that kept the embassador in London more than a single day.
The union was very well viewed by both countrys but it to provided additional proof of the "Luso-Anglo" attempt to take over the world. This was especially true in the capitals of the two countries that Portugal so wished to have normal relationships (Espanha and Franca)
Losts more on the reprocussions of the bethrotel and marriage when I finnish the overseas provinces and move into the Reign of Jose II.
Lusitania
Donor
To my readers, a warm welcome
Before we deal the specific developments of individual Portuguese overseas provinces. There will be three posting: America (Brazil), Africa and Asia, I am posting a general posting summarizing the most important global Portuguese Provinces changes.
Many countries are defined by the actions of specific individuals, Portugal has had many of these for both good and bad. In the initial reformation phase Vice-rei Manuael de Saldanha e Albuquerque was the most important visionary in shapping Portugal's rise to power in Asia, Africa and in some ways both Metropolitant and Brazil. His actions provided Portuguese Empire with the people which in turn helped shape this country.
Portugal’s Overseas Provinces
The Portuguese government envisioned a revitalized empire that would be a partner in the growth and development of Portugal. The overseas possessions stopped being referred to as colonies and instead became overseas provinces with the same rights and privileges as the provinces in Portugal proper[1]. The government needed the workers and provinces to feel as though they were a vital part of the Empire.
The Portuguese overseas provincial policy became based on the “Portuguese Trinity” which was the joint administration and development of the Portuguese provinces between the government, companhias and church. The government was responsible for security, law and order, taxation and foreign relations. The companhia was responsible economic development and administration including infrastructural construction. The church was responsible for well being of the people, education and spiritual maters.
The status of Brasil was changed to vice-kingdom as recognition of its importance and strength within the empire. Brasil economy started to be developed in a similar fashion as Portugal’s and not as a dependency of Portugal. Manufacturing and commerce was encouraged and its defenses strengthened.
In Índia and Ásia, Portugal faced different challenges the Portuguese territory in Índia and Ásia was all one province and governed from Goa by the Vice-rei. The Portuguese Índia Vice-rei Manuel de Saldanha e Albuquerque who ruled from 1756-1769[2] was a keen supporter of new Portuguese government initiatives and enacted several laws and policies to make this province and its entire people an integral part of Portugal. His policies would become the cornerstone of Portuguese overseas provincial administration for decades to come not only in Portuguese Índia but throughout the entire empire. The laws and policies enacted covered the entire spectrum of social, administration, religion and cultural policies and government administration:
The people of Portuguese Índia and East Ásia were moved around the empire with large Portuguese Índian, Timorenses and Macaense communities becoming integrated into Portugal proper, Brasil and África as well as intermixed in Índia and Ásia. These people never lost their rights and in time came to believe themselves as Portuguese.
The Áfricans living under Portuguese control were divided into two groups: those that lived or were moved to Portugal, Índia and Ásia and those that continued to live in África or Brasil. The first group was free and while they were not full citizens they were not slaves. The freeing of all mixed blood black slaves in África and Brasil caused much discord especially in Brasil. To dispel the discord and animosity the government decided to move these people either to Portugal or Índia/Ásia.
[1] Till the middle 1790s Metropolitan Portugal was referred to as Portugal Proper. This term came into disuse and was replaced by the current term Metropolitan Portugal. Definition of Metropolitan Portugal: The territory closer to the birthplace of the country and the capital; Lisboa.
[2] Till this time most Vice-reis were appointed for term of 2 years and unfortunately a general disregard for well being of the province by the Vice-rei. The Appointment of Vice-rei Manuel de Saldanha e Albuquerque was the first Vice-rei appointed for five year term with the prospect of renewal for an additional five years depending on the success of their initial tenure. Note: Vice-rei estates and assets also became tied to their performance, so only the most committed and determined men applied for these positions
Before we deal the specific developments of individual Portuguese overseas provinces. There will be three posting: America (Brazil), Africa and Asia, I am posting a general posting summarizing the most important global Portuguese Provinces changes.
Many countries are defined by the actions of specific individuals, Portugal has had many of these for both good and bad. In the initial reformation phase Vice-rei Manuael de Saldanha e Albuquerque was the most important visionary in shapping Portugal's rise to power in Asia, Africa and in some ways both Metropolitant and Brazil. His actions provided Portuguese Empire with the people which in turn helped shape this country.
Portugal’s Overseas Provinces
The Portuguese government envisioned a revitalized empire that would be a partner in the growth and development of Portugal. The overseas possessions stopped being referred to as colonies and instead became overseas provinces with the same rights and privileges as the provinces in Portugal proper[1]. The government needed the workers and provinces to feel as though they were a vital part of the Empire.
The Portuguese overseas provincial policy became based on the “Portuguese Trinity” which was the joint administration and development of the Portuguese provinces between the government, companhias and church. The government was responsible for security, law and order, taxation and foreign relations. The companhia was responsible economic development and administration including infrastructural construction. The church was responsible for well being of the people, education and spiritual maters.
The status of Brasil was changed to vice-kingdom as recognition of its importance and strength within the empire. Brasil economy started to be developed in a similar fashion as Portugal’s and not as a dependency of Portugal. Manufacturing and commerce was encouraged and its defenses strengthened.
In Índia and Ásia, Portugal faced different challenges the Portuguese territory in Índia and Ásia was all one province and governed from Goa by the Vice-rei. The Portuguese Índia Vice-rei Manuel de Saldanha e Albuquerque who ruled from 1756-1769[2] was a keen supporter of new Portuguese government initiatives and enacted several laws and policies to make this province and its entire people an integral part of Portugal. His policies would become the cornerstone of Portuguese overseas provincial administration for decades to come not only in Portuguese Índia but throughout the entire empire. The laws and policies enacted covered the entire spectrum of social, administration, religion and cultural policies and government administration:
- In 1761 Portugal banned all slavery in Portuguese Índia and East Ásia and granted the rights of Portuguese citizenship and representation to all subjects in these areas.
- Starting in 1761 several laws and measures were introduced by the Vice-rei in Goa banning the discrimination of locals and preventing Portuguese whites and Luso-descendents from discriminating against locals. The government along with the help of the Portuguese Catholic Church supported the intermarriage of locals with both the whites and Luso-descendents. New taxation laws were introduced to encourage Portuguese men to marry by doubling the taxes paid by single men.
- Several new taxation and religious laws were enacted by the government to encourage the adoption of the Portuguese language and religion by the locals. Portuguese Catholic subjects paid lower taxation than Hindu or Muslim subjects. Families that sent a son or daughter to a convent to become a priest or nun (had to be 18 years old) also paid lower taxes. Those who spoke Portuguese, were married and were Portuguese Catholic subjects paid the least amount of taxes.
- To encourage locals to support the Portuguese colonial forces new taxation laws were also introduced that reduced the taxes paid by families whose son became a soldier in the Portuguese colonial force; recruits had to be at least 18 years old. This and the increased feeling of acceptance by locals provided Portugal with the recruits it needed as it started reforming and expanding its colonial force in 1765.
The people of Portuguese Índia and East Ásia were moved around the empire with large Portuguese Índian, Timorenses and Macaense communities becoming integrated into Portugal proper, Brasil and África as well as intermixed in Índia and Ásia. These people never lost their rights and in time came to believe themselves as Portuguese.
The Áfricans living under Portuguese control were divided into two groups: those that lived or were moved to Portugal, Índia and Ásia and those that continued to live in África or Brasil. The first group was free and while they were not full citizens they were not slaves. The freeing of all mixed blood black slaves in África and Brasil caused much discord especially in Brasil. To dispel the discord and animosity the government decided to move these people either to Portugal or Índia/Ásia.
Portuguese Índia Vice-rei Manuel de Saldanha e Albuquerque
[1] Till the middle 1790s Metropolitan Portugal was referred to as Portugal Proper. This term came into disuse and was replaced by the current term Metropolitan Portugal. Definition of Metropolitan Portugal: The territory closer to the birthplace of the country and the capital; Lisboa.
[2] Till this time most Vice-reis were appointed for term of 2 years and unfortunately a general disregard for well being of the province by the Vice-rei. The Appointment of Vice-rei Manuel de Saldanha e Albuquerque was the first Vice-rei appointed for five year term with the prospect of renewal for an additional five years depending on the success of their initial tenure. Note: Vice-rei estates and assets also became tied to their performance, so only the most committed and determined men applied for these positions
Interesting TL so far. But I think there might be a problem. Such progessive thinking will alaways make some dissents, and Pombal can't handle them forever. Something are more progressive than the Constitution of 1820. The Vintistas would be happy to see some of these things.
Não te esqueças é dos acentos. África, Ásia e Índia têm sempre acentos quando não era suposto em Inglês. É só um apárte. Força.
Não te esqueças é dos acentos. África, Ásia e Índia têm sempre acentos quando não era suposto em Inglês
. É só um apárte. Força.
Lusitania
Donor
Bom Dia,
Yes, there was always dissent followed by repression. In the case of Metropolitan Portugal Pombal had to deal with dissent first amongst the merchants, then nobles, followed by the church and finally the royal family.
The Tavora affair made many of the nobles and rich very weary of crossing Pombal. One of the differences I found was the acceptance by some nobles such as the Duque de Lafões that the reforms being implemented by Pombal were needed . In OTL he only returned to Portugal when Pombal was removed. For the reforms to work he needed to return to Portugal in the early 1760s. He was instrumental in getting some of the nobles on side, this was followed by other nobles who also wanted to get into the action. Lastly was those who went through the motions or kept their noses down.
When the Pope disbanded the Jesuits, it provided Pombal and the Religious council with much moral support. Many people began thinking that if Pombal was right about the Jesuits then maybe he was right about the other things.
In the late 1760s dissent was growing again this time it became focused on D. Maria and her group. When the Order of Christ Conspiracy exploded and kings own daughter was implicated it shattered many people. Thousands were arrested and hundreds executed. Those remaining were sent away most to Brazil (next post will deal with the implication of so many dissidents there amongst other things in the Americas.)
Special note was the creation following the Order of Christ Conspiracy of the Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado (PRDE) by Pombal. The Portuguese secret police integrated itself into all parts of the Empire and kept its eyes for dissent.
As for general dissent, calls for reform were evident starting in 1800s but the threat of war and then real war kept it at bay for a while. There will be lots on that when we get to it.
Sim, eu sei vou tentar tomar mais cuidado.
Last edited:
This is the first time I've read a timeline about Portugal, and I quite like it. I can't wait to read more.
Lusitania
Donor
Brasil
At the start of Dom José I reign, Brasil was Portugal’s largest and richest province. The majority of the government’s revenue came from the gold and diamonds in Minas Gerais. Brasil’s economy which from the onset of the Portuguese colonization at the beginning of the 16th century had been based on agriculture, mainly sugar; had in the last 50 years shifted to mineral wealth. The center of gravity had also changed from the north centered on the city of Bahia to the south centered on the city of Rio de Janeiro.
In 1750 the decline in government revenues from the mineral wealth in Brasil started being felt for the first time. The government under the Marquês de Pombal embarked on an ambitious set of radical reforms that would completely transform Brasil politically, religiously and economically. The changes witnessed in Brasil were no different than the changes felt in other parts of Portugal and its overseas provinces.
In 1755 the Portuguese government started a series of military campaigns together with Spanish forces against the Indigenous population along the Seven Missions Territory. The Portuguese government objected to the manor in which these people were being influenced and controlled by the Jesuit missionaries. Over 1000 natives died in the campaigns and large numbers of Indigenous natives were sent to Portugal to work on the reconstruction of Lisboa. In 1759 all Jesuits were expelled from Brasil and all their assets seized by the government. That same year the government freed all Indigenous native slaves in Brasil and gave them the same legal equality with the rest of the population.
In 1762 as part of the overall hostilities between Portugal and Spain the Spanish forces from Buenos Aires attacked and destroyed the Portuguese settlement of Sacramento on the Prata River. In 1763 as part of the Treaty of Paris Spain returned Sacramento to Portugal. In 1775 the Spanish once again threatened Brasil and captured the town of Rio Grande de São Pedro. The Portuguese sent a force from Rio that successfully attacked the Spanish Force and ended the occupation.
One of the most radical reforms witnessed in Brasil was the way that Brasil was administered and governed; in 1763 the Capital of Brasil was moved from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro and the status of Brasil was changed from a colony to vice-kingdom. The move of the capital and elevation of Brasil to vice-kingdom coincided with the Portuguese government ending the Capitanies in Brasil and establishing control over the entire province. The power of the government was also increased throughout the province and greater control over the borders was established.
In 1763 Antônio Alvares da Cunha, the Conde da Cunha was appointed as the new Vice-rei and it was under his direction and administration that the new political reforms were implemented. In 1769 Luís de Almeida Silva Mascarenhas, the Marquês do Lavradio was appointed Vice-rei and continued the government’s reforms and policies with a very heavy hand. It was as a result of these two officials who implemented and oversaw most of the reforms and changes in Brasil that the government’s reforms succeeded. These two were never afraid of using whatever means were necessary to achieve their mandates. During their terms Brasil’s jails were constantly full of those who stood in their way.
Starting in 1765 the Portuguese Military in Brasil was reorganized by a group of Austrian officials as part of the Portuguese military reforms being directed by the Conde de Lippe. The forts protecting the cities in Brasil were either upgraded on new ones built. The government moved both soldiers and people to the border areas to be better able to defend them. The shipbuilding in Rio and Bahia was expanded along with its attendant trades to better provide Portugal and Brasil with the naval ships necessary to defend the coast from pirates and other European countries as well as merchant ships necessary to transport the growing merchandize trade within the empire and elsewhere.
The expulsion of the Jesuits from Brasil in 1759 and the publishing of the “Tentiva Teológica” in 1762 and subsequent establishment of an independent Portuguese Catholic Church caused much upheaval in Brasil. The Portuguese Religious Council soon found itself in a battle for the support of the people with those that opposed the establishment of an independent Portuguese Catholic Church. The Inquisition, which had come under the government control, setup a court in Rio to combat those that appose the changes. Dozens of priests as well as hundreds of missionaries were brought before the Inquisition. The majority whom were expelled from Brasil and Portugal and the remaining were pardoned once they swore allegiance to the Portuguese Religious Council. The support for the new Portuguese Catholic Church became established in the towns and cities while the support in the countryside took many decades to become established.
Brasil like all other overseas provinces benefited from the exodus of missionaries from Portugal and saw thousands of new missionaries arriving in Brasil which were integrated with those missionaries that had remained and together started the re-evangelization of América.
The government in Rio sent new missionaries along with government officials and soldiers into the interior of Brasil to re-establish control over the missions abandoned by the expulsion of the Jesuits. The primary purpose was to allow the government to control the interior and the indigenous people; consequently many of these missions had been very prosperous and the government was eager to gain control of these areas.
The Jesuits had controlled the majority of the education institutions in Brasil and their expulsion had resulted in most of them being closed. It was not till the 1772 as part of the Portuguese government’s educational reforms that new schools were established through out the Brasil, primary schools were established in the major cities and then throughout rest of Brasil.
The economic changes experienced throughout the Portuguese Empire transformed Brasil’s relationship with Portugal. Over the previous 100 years Brasil had become Portugal’s revenue source, providing it with the gold to buy the foreign goods it required and support the rest of the kingdom. The reduction in revenue from mineral wealth was slowly replaced by the growth of national industries in Portugal and subsequently in Brasil. The government encouraged the establishment of several textile industries. From 1760 cotton, linen and wool factories were established in Minas Gerais and Rio and in 1765 an Iron Mining and Smelting factory were established in São Paulo.
The establishment of the two trade companies: “Companhia do Grão-Pará e Maranhão” and “Companhia de Pernambuco e Paraíba” that had exclusive trade rights in Brasil brought greater prosperity to the merchants and farmers throughout Brasil. These companies developed a greater diversified agricultural base. Coffee, mulberry seedlings were distributed to farmers and the production of indigo, flax, cotton, cocoa and rice was encouraged and advocated. By 1775 Brasil’s economy was growing again, gone was the immense mineral wealth, although the government maintained a monopoly on the diamond mining but instead Brasil was enjoying a more balanced growth from its diversified agricultural and manufacturing throughout all of Brasil. The government’s revenues had also stabilized.
In 1772 the government in Brasil started a road-building project similar to the one in Portugal. The size of Brasil and other government expenditures limited the initial success of the project. The local government’s road building project connecting the small towns and villages together and to the larger centers provided the local people many economic and social benefits. Many small towns and villages that had very restricted road access were opened up. The movement of people and goods throughout Brasil also started improving.
By 1775 the restrictions on immigration to Brasil from Portugal and the economic changes felt throughout Brasil started to create a labor shortage in Brasil. The Portuguese government allowed Índians and subsequently Timorenses and Macaenses to move to the expanding cities of Brasil in an effort to ease the labor shortage. Many went to work in the new industries and factories that were desperate for workers while the remainder went to work in the various commercial establishments. Starting in 1770 as a result of the Portuguese-Marroco War of 1769 thousands of Marrocans arrived in Brasil from the expanded province of Mazagão. These Islamic people were settled a few in each village and town in Southern Brasilia and their movements and religious freedom was restricted. The Mazagões as they became known were only allowed to marry and own land if they converted to Portuguese Catholicism.
From 1755 to 1777 many nobles, merchants and everyday people were sent to Brasil due to their opposition to the Marques de Pombal. Most of these people had in one way or other apposed the Portuguese government’s policies and reforms and they did not contribute to the development and reforms of Brasil. They also added to the resentment some Brasilian leaders had of the interference of Lisboa in Brasil.
At the start of Dom José I reign, Brasil was Portugal’s largest and richest province. The majority of the government’s revenue came from the gold and diamonds in Minas Gerais. Brasil’s economy which from the onset of the Portuguese colonization at the beginning of the 16th century had been based on agriculture, mainly sugar; had in the last 50 years shifted to mineral wealth. The center of gravity had also changed from the north centered on the city of Bahia to the south centered on the city of Rio de Janeiro.
In 1750 the decline in government revenues from the mineral wealth in Brasil started being felt for the first time. The government under the Marquês de Pombal embarked on an ambitious set of radical reforms that would completely transform Brasil politically, religiously and economically. The changes witnessed in Brasil were no different than the changes felt in other parts of Portugal and its overseas provinces.
In 1755 the Portuguese government started a series of military campaigns together with Spanish forces against the Indigenous population along the Seven Missions Territory. The Portuguese government objected to the manor in which these people were being influenced and controlled by the Jesuit missionaries. Over 1000 natives died in the campaigns and large numbers of Indigenous natives were sent to Portugal to work on the reconstruction of Lisboa. In 1759 all Jesuits were expelled from Brasil and all their assets seized by the government. That same year the government freed all Indigenous native slaves in Brasil and gave them the same legal equality with the rest of the population.
In 1762 as part of the overall hostilities between Portugal and Spain the Spanish forces from Buenos Aires attacked and destroyed the Portuguese settlement of Sacramento on the Prata River. In 1763 as part of the Treaty of Paris Spain returned Sacramento to Portugal. In 1775 the Spanish once again threatened Brasil and captured the town of Rio Grande de São Pedro. The Portuguese sent a force from Rio that successfully attacked the Spanish Force and ended the occupation.
One of the most radical reforms witnessed in Brasil was the way that Brasil was administered and governed; in 1763 the Capital of Brasil was moved from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro and the status of Brasil was changed from a colony to vice-kingdom. The move of the capital and elevation of Brasil to vice-kingdom coincided with the Portuguese government ending the Capitanies in Brasil and establishing control over the entire province. The power of the government was also increased throughout the province and greater control over the borders was established.
In 1763 Antônio Alvares da Cunha, the Conde da Cunha was appointed as the new Vice-rei and it was under his direction and administration that the new political reforms were implemented. In 1769 Luís de Almeida Silva Mascarenhas, the Marquês do Lavradio was appointed Vice-rei and continued the government’s reforms and policies with a very heavy hand. It was as a result of these two officials who implemented and oversaw most of the reforms and changes in Brasil that the government’s reforms succeeded. These two were never afraid of using whatever means were necessary to achieve their mandates. During their terms Brasil’s jails were constantly full of those who stood in their way.
Starting in 1765 the Portuguese Military in Brasil was reorganized by a group of Austrian officials as part of the Portuguese military reforms being directed by the Conde de Lippe. The forts protecting the cities in Brasil were either upgraded on new ones built. The government moved both soldiers and people to the border areas to be better able to defend them. The shipbuilding in Rio and Bahia was expanded along with its attendant trades to better provide Portugal and Brasil with the naval ships necessary to defend the coast from pirates and other European countries as well as merchant ships necessary to transport the growing merchandize trade within the empire and elsewhere.
The expulsion of the Jesuits from Brasil in 1759 and the publishing of the “Tentiva Teológica” in 1762 and subsequent establishment of an independent Portuguese Catholic Church caused much upheaval in Brasil. The Portuguese Religious Council soon found itself in a battle for the support of the people with those that opposed the establishment of an independent Portuguese Catholic Church. The Inquisition, which had come under the government control, setup a court in Rio to combat those that appose the changes. Dozens of priests as well as hundreds of missionaries were brought before the Inquisition. The majority whom were expelled from Brasil and Portugal and the remaining were pardoned once they swore allegiance to the Portuguese Religious Council. The support for the new Portuguese Catholic Church became established in the towns and cities while the support in the countryside took many decades to become established.
Brasil like all other overseas provinces benefited from the exodus of missionaries from Portugal and saw thousands of new missionaries arriving in Brasil which were integrated with those missionaries that had remained and together started the re-evangelization of América.
The government in Rio sent new missionaries along with government officials and soldiers into the interior of Brasil to re-establish control over the missions abandoned by the expulsion of the Jesuits. The primary purpose was to allow the government to control the interior and the indigenous people; consequently many of these missions had been very prosperous and the government was eager to gain control of these areas.
The Jesuits had controlled the majority of the education institutions in Brasil and their expulsion had resulted in most of them being closed. It was not till the 1772 as part of the Portuguese government’s educational reforms that new schools were established through out the Brasil, primary schools were established in the major cities and then throughout rest of Brasil.
The economic changes experienced throughout the Portuguese Empire transformed Brasil’s relationship with Portugal. Over the previous 100 years Brasil had become Portugal’s revenue source, providing it with the gold to buy the foreign goods it required and support the rest of the kingdom. The reduction in revenue from mineral wealth was slowly replaced by the growth of national industries in Portugal and subsequently in Brasil. The government encouraged the establishment of several textile industries. From 1760 cotton, linen and wool factories were established in Minas Gerais and Rio and in 1765 an Iron Mining and Smelting factory were established in São Paulo.
The establishment of the two trade companies: “Companhia do Grão-Pará e Maranhão” and “Companhia de Pernambuco e Paraíba” that had exclusive trade rights in Brasil brought greater prosperity to the merchants and farmers throughout Brasil. These companies developed a greater diversified agricultural base. Coffee, mulberry seedlings were distributed to farmers and the production of indigo, flax, cotton, cocoa and rice was encouraged and advocated. By 1775 Brasil’s economy was growing again, gone was the immense mineral wealth, although the government maintained a monopoly on the diamond mining but instead Brasil was enjoying a more balanced growth from its diversified agricultural and manufacturing throughout all of Brasil. The government’s revenues had also stabilized.
In 1772 the government in Brasil started a road-building project similar to the one in Portugal. The size of Brasil and other government expenditures limited the initial success of the project. The local government’s road building project connecting the small towns and villages together and to the larger centers provided the local people many economic and social benefits. Many small towns and villages that had very restricted road access were opened up. The movement of people and goods throughout Brasil also started improving.
By 1775 the restrictions on immigration to Brasil from Portugal and the economic changes felt throughout Brasil started to create a labor shortage in Brasil. The Portuguese government allowed Índians and subsequently Timorenses and Macaenses to move to the expanding cities of Brasil in an effort to ease the labor shortage. Many went to work in the new industries and factories that were desperate for workers while the remainder went to work in the various commercial establishments. Starting in 1770 as a result of the Portuguese-Marroco War of 1769 thousands of Marrocans arrived in Brasil from the expanded province of Mazagão. These Islamic people were settled a few in each village and town in Southern Brasilia and their movements and religious freedom was restricted. The Mazagões as they became known were only allowed to marry and own land if they converted to Portuguese Catholicism.
From 1755 to 1777 many nobles, merchants and everyday people were sent to Brasil due to their opposition to the Marques de Pombal. Most of these people had in one way or other apposed the Portuguese government’s policies and reforms and they did not contribute to the development and reforms of Brasil. They also added to the resentment some Brasilian leaders had of the interference of Lisboa in Brasil.
Last edited:
Maybe Pina Manique would the best person to be heading PIDE. Although he only got to Inspector-general in the reign of Dona Maria he was a man in which Pombal trusted. Which would be a bit ironic, ITTL Pombal is supportive of the French Revolution Ideals, Pina Manique wasn't, but the bonds that make Pombal trust in him have not vanished with the POD.
Lusitania
Donor
He was a very capable man and most Portuguese have deep afection for him, there are plaques in every city with his portrait and name proclaiming him the founder of one of Portugal's greatest institutions. There is even a city named after him on Portugals largest river the Zamb.... (wait I am giving too much away again).
Pina Manique is feaured in an upcoming post when we finish the overseas provinces and start the posts dealing with D. José II reign.
The first director of PIDE was José Seabra da Silva who served till 1805 when he was succeded by Tomás Antônio de Vila Nova Portugal.
Nice, but I have some nitpicks:
Mato Grosso had some mines, but Minas Gerais always was the main source of gold during all 18th century, even during the decadence period.
Actually the iron ores are also located in Minas Gerais rather than São Paulo. In your TL I believe Minas would become "the industrial center" of Brazil, with São Paulo and the other "Capitanias" providing goods to the growing population. Even after the "gold boom" in 1800 São Paulo had only 100,000 people, while Minas had 500,000.
Mato Grosso had some mines, but Minas Gerais always was the main source of gold during all 18th century, even during the decadence period.
Actually the iron ores are also located in Minas Gerais rather than São Paulo. In your TL I believe Minas would become "the industrial center" of Brazil, with São Paulo and the other "Capitanias" providing goods to the growing population. Even after the "gold boom" in 1800 São Paulo had only 100,000 people, while Minas had 500,000.
Lusitania
Donor
Thanks for the clarification, the industrial heartland of Portuguese America in the late 18th century was centured around Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais. The population of the industrial south saw a huge population boom from 1760 to 1800 large number of asians came to live and work in the growing industrial south. I will have more on the changing population and industry in Portuguese America in future posts.
In OTL many of the industries started by Pombal as well as the companies were closed as they were seen undermining the orriginal system.
It is nice to have you as a reader, as for your question I do not know enough of the Ottoman Empire history prior to 1800 which is when Portuguese Empire becomes involved with them. My suggestion would be to create your wn thread and ask the general community.
Glad to have you aboard.
Lusitania
Donor
Salutations to all, here the second of four posts dealing with the Portuguese overseas provinces. I had orriginaly planned only three posts but looking at the material written, I have decided to break out the Ásia post into two seperate posts: Índia and East Ásia. Hope you enjoy. As allways comments and questions are allways welcome.
África
In 1750 the Portuguese possessions in África were limited to a few small islands off the western coast and the coast of Angola and Moçambique. The only substantial inland territory was along the Zambeze River on the East Coast (Moçambique). In North África, Mazagão was the only Portuguese possession left, as all other Marrocan cities Portugal had conquered starting in 1415 had been lost. For centuries, since Portugal’s arrival on África’s shores, África had been used exclusively as a source of slaves and as supply stop for ships traveling between the much more lucrative Índia/Ásia and Lisboa.
In 1760 the Portuguese government made slave trade in Portuguese África a government monopoly. In 1765 the last Capitanies in the empire were abolished with the creation of three new consolidated Portuguese Áfrican provinces: Cabo Verde e Guiné in the Northwest, Angola in the West and Moçambique in the East along with three new companhias: the “Companhia de Bissau”, the “Companhia de Angola” and the “Companhia de Moçambique” to develop and administer the Portuguese possessions in África.
Portuguese África like other parts of the Portuguese Empire saw many changes as the companhias diversified the economies; cultivation of sugar, cocoa, rice, cotton, coffee and flax was encouraged and started. New plantations were created and developed. The composition of the people started changing as Índian and Ásian settlers were brought to Portuguese África to work on these plantations and in the towns.
The military reforms initiated by Portugal had profound affect on the size of the Portuguese África. Portugal utilized África as a training ground for its colonial forces, this was done because it was felt that other European countries would not object or even notice Portuguese military actions in África as apposed to Ásia. Thousands of Ásian and Índian soldiers were brought to África where they were used to expand the territory Portugal controlled and to subjugate the local population. New forts were built and the territory under Portuguese control expanded deep into the Áfrican interior for the first time. Subjugated tribes were ordered to pay a yearly tribute to Portugal in gold, or goods as well as soldiers and workers. The workers were sent to work in either Portugal proper or other provinces while soldiers joined the Colonial forces in the Ásia or Índia. Newly conquered tribes also lost half their territory to the Portuguese, which leased the land to the companhias on 20-year leases.
The arrival of Portuguese Catholic Missionaries starting in the 1760s throughout Portuguese África helped spread both the Portuguese language and religion in these lands. The arrival of Portuguese Índians and Ásians also brought to África Portuguese Catholic Missionaries of Índian and Ásian decent. In 1775 the taxes were increased for all natives that were not Portuguese Catholics in Portuguese África. Missionaries set up new convents, schools and missions in all provinces.
The influence and presence of Islam in West África and northern part of East África was especially targeted. When the colonial forces conquered an area the Portuguese Missionaries who accompanied the colonial forces destroyed all mosques and ordered all Islamic religious leaders they encountered killed. Special taxes were levied against any town that did not have a Catholic Church or the majority of the people were not Portuguese Catholic. This created several problems and revolts amongst the natives for the companhias and the colonial forces. The colonial forces were in constant battles with the subjugated Islamic natives as well as neighboring Islamic natives.
Province of Cabo Verde e Guiné
The “Companhia de Bissau” was given control over the Portuguese islands of São Tome, Principe, Fernando Pó and Anabón in the Gulf of Guinea along with the commercial interest on the Gulf coast between the Niger and Ogooué Rivers. These territories were integrated into the province Cabo Verde e Guiné. On the Áfrican west coast they received control of the Portuguese forts of Cacheu, Bissau, Ajuda and Zinguinchor along with the islands of Cabo Verde. The capital of the province was in Praia on the islands of Cabo Verde. In 1765 António de Vasconcelos the former governor of Angola was appointed as the first governor of the Province of Cabo Verde e Guiné.
From 1769 to 1774 the Portuguese fought a series of wars with the local tribes around the Portuguese forts in Cacheu, Bissau, and Zinguinchor resulting in expansion of Portuguese territory along the Casamence and Cacheu Rivers. In 1776 the area around Bissau was finally subjugated and by 1777 all area between Bissau and Zinguinchor had been subjugated and under Portuguese control. New forts were built along the two rivers and along the coast. Large amount of people from Cabo Verde were moved to this area to settle and expand Portuguese control. New products were exported: Timber was sent to Portugal to supply the shipbuilding industry. Rice and peanuts were also cultivated and exported to Portugal.
The Portuguese sent a large force to the Gulf islands and by 1767 had subjugated the islands. The sugar plantations were restarted and cocoa as well as coffee cultivation was started. Starting in 1776 Índian and Ásians immigrants were brought to these islands to work on the plantations. Additional settlers were brought from Cabo Verde as it was depopulated in an attempt to fight deforestation and starvation.
The islands of Cabo Verde which had been hit by several droughts and large parts of the islands were becoming barren. To ease the pressures on the islands the companhia started replanting trees on the islands of Cabo Verde to try to stop the deforestation. Starting in 1776 about half of the population of Cabo Verde was moved to the gulf islands and the areas around the forts in Cacheu, Bissau, and Zinguinchor.
Province of Angola
The new province of Angola was comprised of three original provinces on the Áfrican west coast: Congo, Angola and Benguela. The Portuguese had been present in this area for over 200 years but had mostly been restricted to the coast. The capital of the province was in Luanda. The “Companhia de Angola” was given control of the expanded province and like the other companhias it was hoped that it would be able to develop and prosper a much neglected area. In 1765 Francisco Inocéncio de Sousa Coutinho, was appointed as the governor of the Province of Angola.
The arrival of the colonial forces starting in the 1770s allowed the company to conquer several of the local tribes along the coast. By 1775 the companhia started expanding inland along the major rivers: Congo in the North, Cuanza and Cuvo in the center and Cunene in the south. The southern border of Angola (Benguela) was established along the Cunene River.
The companhia started several coffee, cocoa and cotton plantations. The export of timber to Portugal was also started. The arrival of Índians and Ásians to work these plantations made several tribes angry and in 1773 the natives of Mussolo revolted, the colonial forces brutally put down the revolt and all males captured including the leaders were executed. The remaining Mussolo natives were sold as slaves by the government.
Province of Moçambique
The new province of Moçambique comprised of the original six Portuguese provinces on the Áfrican east coast: Cabo Delgado, Sofala, Moçambique, Zambezea, Sofala and Inhanbane. The main ports were Moçambique in the north and Sofala in the south. The capital of the province was established on the island of Moçambique. The “Companhia de Moçambique” was given control over the entire province in order to develop it. In 1765 João Baptista Vaz Pereira, was appointed as the 1st governor of the Province of Moçambique.
The governor’s control and the companhia’s development of Portuguese East Áfrican was the slowest of the three provinces in África. This was due to the refusal of many of the current colonial people from recognizing its authority. The arrival of the colonial forces starting in 1766 from Goa and subsequently other parts of the Portuguese Empire enabled the governor to establish full control over the province and the companhia to establish economic control in all six original provinces by 1774.
Following the establishment of the companhias control along the coast and along the Zambezea River the companhia started several economic projects to develop the area. Tea and Cotton plantations were started in the Zambezea and Moçambique provinces.
Portuguese-Marroco War of 1769
The last remaining Portuguese presence in North África was fort city of Mazagão. In 1769 the ruler of Marroco, Mawlay Muhammad III ordered the attack on Mazagão to drive the Portuguese out and besieged the town for six months. Pombal who had been in favor of abandoning the town and settling the people in Brasil and had even started making preparations for such a move felt obligated instead due to the Marrocan attack to order a task force from Portugal to reinforce Mazagão and break the siege. In January 1769 a Portuguese force arrived with over 10,000 men of the retrained and newly led army from Alentejo under the command of captain ManuelPinto de Morais Bacelar.
On February 10th the Portuguese attacked the Marrocan army besieging Mazagão and defeated them. The Portuguese pursued the fleeing Marrocan forces and captured them at Azamor. The Portuguese government was anxious to bring the army back to Portugal and upon receiving news of the victory ordered a colonial force from Angola and Bissau to relieve the Alentejo army. On March 1st ships were sent to África to bring the colonial forces to Mazagão and then bring the army back to Faro.
On May 15 Mawlay Muhammad III arrived with 30,000 soldiers and besieged the city once again. On May 30th the Portuguese colonial force under Colonel João Forbes-Skelater arrived off the coast south of the city while the Marrocans were attacking it. They landed on Cape Blanco south of the city and marched north and attacked the Marrocan army from the rear while it was attacking the city.
The Marrocan forces became caught between two Portuguese forces and attempted to retreat but Mawlay Muhammad III was killed in the battle as he tried to extract his forces from Mazagão. The Marrocans became demoralized and surrounded by two Portuguese armies and surrendered. The Portuguese held the remaining Marrocan forces along with the body of Mawlay Muhammad III as hostages till the Marrocans agreed to a new Treaty. On July 1st 1769 Marroco agreed to recognize Portugal claim to Mazagão and expand its borders to 30 miles around the city. On July 20th Dom José I signed the treaty allowing for the hostilities with Marrocos to end.
The expanded territory of Mazagão now included the city of Azamor and the Morbea River valley, which the Portuguese had lost in the 16th century. The Portuguese started building several border forts to protect the province and in 1770 Portugal granted Mazagão provincial status. Antônio Alvares da Cunha, the Conde da Cunha e Mazagão was appointed the first governor of the province. He was directed to “Portugalize” the new province so over the next decade he oversaw the movement all the locals who were Muslim from the expanded area to Southern Brasilia and repopulated the province with thousands of Portuguese Catholic settlers from Açores and Madeira islands.
África
In 1750 the Portuguese possessions in África were limited to a few small islands off the western coast and the coast of Angola and Moçambique. The only substantial inland territory was along the Zambeze River on the East Coast (Moçambique). In North África, Mazagão was the only Portuguese possession left, as all other Marrocan cities Portugal had conquered starting in 1415 had been lost. For centuries, since Portugal’s arrival on África’s shores, África had been used exclusively as a source of slaves and as supply stop for ships traveling between the much more lucrative Índia/Ásia and Lisboa.
In 1760 the Portuguese government made slave trade in Portuguese África a government monopoly. In 1765 the last Capitanies in the empire were abolished with the creation of three new consolidated Portuguese Áfrican provinces: Cabo Verde e Guiné in the Northwest, Angola in the West and Moçambique in the East along with three new companhias: the “Companhia de Bissau”, the “Companhia de Angola” and the “Companhia de Moçambique” to develop and administer the Portuguese possessions in África.
Portuguese África like other parts of the Portuguese Empire saw many changes as the companhias diversified the economies; cultivation of sugar, cocoa, rice, cotton, coffee and flax was encouraged and started. New plantations were created and developed. The composition of the people started changing as Índian and Ásian settlers were brought to Portuguese África to work on these plantations and in the towns.
The military reforms initiated by Portugal had profound affect on the size of the Portuguese África. Portugal utilized África as a training ground for its colonial forces, this was done because it was felt that other European countries would not object or even notice Portuguese military actions in África as apposed to Ásia. Thousands of Ásian and Índian soldiers were brought to África where they were used to expand the territory Portugal controlled and to subjugate the local population. New forts were built and the territory under Portuguese control expanded deep into the Áfrican interior for the first time. Subjugated tribes were ordered to pay a yearly tribute to Portugal in gold, or goods as well as soldiers and workers. The workers were sent to work in either Portugal proper or other provinces while soldiers joined the Colonial forces in the Ásia or Índia. Newly conquered tribes also lost half their territory to the Portuguese, which leased the land to the companhias on 20-year leases.
The arrival of Portuguese Catholic Missionaries starting in the 1760s throughout Portuguese África helped spread both the Portuguese language and religion in these lands. The arrival of Portuguese Índians and Ásians also brought to África Portuguese Catholic Missionaries of Índian and Ásian decent. In 1775 the taxes were increased for all natives that were not Portuguese Catholics in Portuguese África. Missionaries set up new convents, schools and missions in all provinces.
The influence and presence of Islam in West África and northern part of East África was especially targeted. When the colonial forces conquered an area the Portuguese Missionaries who accompanied the colonial forces destroyed all mosques and ordered all Islamic religious leaders they encountered killed. Special taxes were levied against any town that did not have a Catholic Church or the majority of the people were not Portuguese Catholic. This created several problems and revolts amongst the natives for the companhias and the colonial forces. The colonial forces were in constant battles with the subjugated Islamic natives as well as neighboring Islamic natives.
Province of Cabo Verde e Guiné
The “Companhia de Bissau” was given control over the Portuguese islands of São Tome, Principe, Fernando Pó and Anabón in the Gulf of Guinea along with the commercial interest on the Gulf coast between the Niger and Ogooué Rivers. These territories were integrated into the province Cabo Verde e Guiné. On the Áfrican west coast they received control of the Portuguese forts of Cacheu, Bissau, Ajuda and Zinguinchor along with the islands of Cabo Verde. The capital of the province was in Praia on the islands of Cabo Verde. In 1765 António de Vasconcelos the former governor of Angola was appointed as the first governor of the Province of Cabo Verde e Guiné.
From 1769 to 1774 the Portuguese fought a series of wars with the local tribes around the Portuguese forts in Cacheu, Bissau, and Zinguinchor resulting in expansion of Portuguese territory along the Casamence and Cacheu Rivers. In 1776 the area around Bissau was finally subjugated and by 1777 all area between Bissau and Zinguinchor had been subjugated and under Portuguese control. New forts were built along the two rivers and along the coast. Large amount of people from Cabo Verde were moved to this area to settle and expand Portuguese control. New products were exported: Timber was sent to Portugal to supply the shipbuilding industry. Rice and peanuts were also cultivated and exported to Portugal.
The Portuguese sent a large force to the Gulf islands and by 1767 had subjugated the islands. The sugar plantations were restarted and cocoa as well as coffee cultivation was started. Starting in 1776 Índian and Ásians immigrants were brought to these islands to work on the plantations. Additional settlers were brought from Cabo Verde as it was depopulated in an attempt to fight deforestation and starvation.
The islands of Cabo Verde which had been hit by several droughts and large parts of the islands were becoming barren. To ease the pressures on the islands the companhia started replanting trees on the islands of Cabo Verde to try to stop the deforestation. Starting in 1776 about half of the population of Cabo Verde was moved to the gulf islands and the areas around the forts in Cacheu, Bissau, and Zinguinchor.
Province of Angola
The new province of Angola was comprised of three original provinces on the Áfrican west coast: Congo, Angola and Benguela. The Portuguese had been present in this area for over 200 years but had mostly been restricted to the coast. The capital of the province was in Luanda. The “Companhia de Angola” was given control of the expanded province and like the other companhias it was hoped that it would be able to develop and prosper a much neglected area. In 1765 Francisco Inocéncio de Sousa Coutinho, was appointed as the governor of the Province of Angola.
The arrival of the colonial forces starting in the 1770s allowed the company to conquer several of the local tribes along the coast. By 1775 the companhia started expanding inland along the major rivers: Congo in the North, Cuanza and Cuvo in the center and Cunene in the south. The southern border of Angola (Benguela) was established along the Cunene River.
The companhia started several coffee, cocoa and cotton plantations. The export of timber to Portugal was also started. The arrival of Índians and Ásians to work these plantations made several tribes angry and in 1773 the natives of Mussolo revolted, the colonial forces brutally put down the revolt and all males captured including the leaders were executed. The remaining Mussolo natives were sold as slaves by the government.
Province of Moçambique
The new province of Moçambique comprised of the original six Portuguese provinces on the Áfrican east coast: Cabo Delgado, Sofala, Moçambique, Zambezea, Sofala and Inhanbane. The main ports were Moçambique in the north and Sofala in the south. The capital of the province was established on the island of Moçambique. The “Companhia de Moçambique” was given control over the entire province in order to develop it. In 1765 João Baptista Vaz Pereira, was appointed as the 1st governor of the Province of Moçambique.
The governor’s control and the companhia’s development of Portuguese East Áfrican was the slowest of the three provinces in África. This was due to the refusal of many of the current colonial people from recognizing its authority. The arrival of the colonial forces starting in 1766 from Goa and subsequently other parts of the Portuguese Empire enabled the governor to establish full control over the province and the companhia to establish economic control in all six original provinces by 1774.
Following the establishment of the companhias control along the coast and along the Zambezea River the companhia started several economic projects to develop the area. Tea and Cotton plantations were started in the Zambezea and Moçambique provinces.
Portuguese-Marroco War of 1769
The last remaining Portuguese presence in North África was fort city of Mazagão. In 1769 the ruler of Marroco, Mawlay Muhammad III ordered the attack on Mazagão to drive the Portuguese out and besieged the town for six months. Pombal who had been in favor of abandoning the town and settling the people in Brasil and had even started making preparations for such a move felt obligated instead due to the Marrocan attack to order a task force from Portugal to reinforce Mazagão and break the siege. In January 1769 a Portuguese force arrived with over 10,000 men of the retrained and newly led army from Alentejo under the command of captain ManuelPinto de Morais Bacelar.
On February 10th the Portuguese attacked the Marrocan army besieging Mazagão and defeated them. The Portuguese pursued the fleeing Marrocan forces and captured them at Azamor. The Portuguese government was anxious to bring the army back to Portugal and upon receiving news of the victory ordered a colonial force from Angola and Bissau to relieve the Alentejo army. On March 1st ships were sent to África to bring the colonial forces to Mazagão and then bring the army back to Faro.
On May 15 Mawlay Muhammad III arrived with 30,000 soldiers and besieged the city once again. On May 30th the Portuguese colonial force under Colonel João Forbes-Skelater arrived off the coast south of the city while the Marrocans were attacking it. They landed on Cape Blanco south of the city and marched north and attacked the Marrocan army from the rear while it was attacking the city.
The Marrocan forces became caught between two Portuguese forces and attempted to retreat but Mawlay Muhammad III was killed in the battle as he tried to extract his forces from Mazagão. The Marrocans became demoralized and surrounded by two Portuguese armies and surrendered. The Portuguese held the remaining Marrocan forces along with the body of Mawlay Muhammad III as hostages till the Marrocans agreed to a new Treaty. On July 1st 1769 Marroco agreed to recognize Portugal claim to Mazagão and expand its borders to 30 miles around the city. On July 20th Dom José I signed the treaty allowing for the hostilities with Marrocos to end.
The expanded territory of Mazagão now included the city of Azamor and the Morbea River valley, which the Portuguese had lost in the 16th century. The Portuguese started building several border forts to protect the province and in 1770 Portugal granted Mazagão provincial status. Antônio Alvares da Cunha, the Conde da Cunha e Mazagão was appointed the first governor of the province. He was directed to “Portugalize” the new province so over the next decade he oversaw the movement all the locals who were Muslim from the expanded area to Southern Brasilia and repopulated the province with thousands of Portuguese Catholic settlers from Açores and Madeira islands.
I suggest a change of name for the secret police to something more like Polícia de Defesa do Estado or Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado. The PIDE name sounds a bit modern.
Continua com o bom trabalho, Lusitania!
I suggest a change of name for the secret police to something more like Polícia de Defesa do Estado or Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado. The PIDE name sounds a bit modern.
Continua com o bom trabalho, Lusitania!
It sound good. "Muy Nobre e Leal Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado". The PRDE.
Lusitania
Donor
I suggest a change of name for the secret police to something more like Polícia de Defesa do Estado or Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado. The PIDE name sounds a bit modern.
Continua com o bom trabalho, Lusitania!
That would be perfect!
Since the Secret Police post I have been doing a little and yes the name does seem a little modern. So I have taken all your suggestions and Polícia Real de Defesa do Estado or PRDE is the name. One interesting thing was the constant jurisdiction battle with the Intendência Geral da Polícia which also polifirated throughout the empire. Stories for later posts.
How about "Gauchos Agentinos Y Policia Real de Defesa do Estado" GAYPRDE
No comment, although I have several posts in which the Argentines are not very proud.
Following the seven year war France prohibited French from going to Portugal, dido for Dutch. But Portugual has lots of other Europeans more to follow when the Immigration / Emmigration II section is posted
Probably immigration is more likely to happen from small Catholic countries that wouldn't be a threat to Portuguese dominance in the colonies, as the Italian and German states.