The Portuguese in the Amazon valley : 1872-1920

Da Silva, Maria Inês Abreu Oliveira Luzes (1988) The Portuguese in the Amazon valley : 1872-1920. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

In the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the expansion of Brazilian rubber attracted many migrants to the Amazon. Although the portuguese immigrants were not a major component of portuguese migration to Brazil they occupied an important role in the Amazon in opening up rubber commerce of the Amazon Valley. Unlike English, US or German migrants who were in export trades, Portuguese migrants provided the infrastructure of rubber trade, as aviadores, as importers, as shippers, and petty commerce and, after 1890's, in other occupations, such as artisans. The national context of portuguese migration is focussed in order to understand why people went to Brazil, which regions furnished the migration, the roles of agricultural depression and conscription. The `attractions' of Para: commerce and agriculture and the Portuguese and Brazilian government policies put in parallel allowed us to understand the settlement of migrants. The organization of the Brazilian rubber industry, particularly the role of the unique aviador trade, explains the involvement of Portuguese immigrants. In 1872, the portuguese were concentrated in Belem and Manaos, on the edges of rivers in rubber gathering regions, as well as on small trading posts. They were recorded as single males engaged, as traders, artisans, and day labourers. By 1920, they continued concentrated in Belem and Manaus; the number of immigrants increased and spread over the region with the `boom'. A more detailed view of the migrants to Para was derived from lists compiled by the Portuguese consuls of those who died while in the Consular District, this in practise may have meant Belem. Most of the Portuguese mentioned originated from Aveiro, Porto and Braga; they were male, single and young. Through the years more women appeared. The occupations of those who died changed over time. Most deaths recorded in the 1870's occurred among those aged 20-40 years of age, more than 40 per cent of those recorded were engaged in commercial activities; and 37 per cent of these appear to have owned their own business. By 1910-20, the size of the community decreased: the total number of deaths was smaller. This may have reflected the fall in prices and difficulties which followed. Even so, 30% of the portuguese dead were recorded as traders but a larger proportion of them were also engaged in other activities. Through the years a substantial proportion died young, of yellow fever malaria or pneumonia. The role of Portuguese in opening up rubber trade - as aviadores - derived from their strategic positions, from their motivations and from the `patricio' feeling. Expansion of rubber required large financial resources which were provided by other non-Portuguese immigrants. As a consequence there was a decline in the importance of the aviador trade despite of the attempts to control the rubber trade as illustrated by the failure of the Baron de Gondoriz. The numerous portuguese and their success led to conflicts with Brazilians. Antipathy to the Portuguese started in the 1830's. In 1870's Brazilian demand to `nationalize' commerce and the role of the `Tribuna' ended in a clash. The `Jacobinism', had not the same influence in the Amazon as in other parts of Brazil. With the collapse of rubber there was a recrudescence of friction between Portuguese and Brazilian-born population.

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