The Golden Age of Brazil 1695-1750: Growing Pains of a Colonial Society

The Golden Age of Brazil, 1695–1750, was a period of dynamic growth and turbulence in the Portuguese empire, marked by the discovery of gold reserves in Minas Gerais and its impact on the economy, society, and political order. C. R. Boxer's detailed narrative explores the cascading effects of the gold rush, including social mobility, slavery, contraband, conflicts, and integration into global trade networks. He also reconstructs the cultural, religious, and urban landscapes of colonial towns, highlighting the contradictions of empire and the growing pains of integration into a world economy. This book remains a landmark study for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of Brazil's so-called golden age.

Format: Hardback
Length: 474 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The Golden Age of Brazil, spanning from 1695 to 1750, was a period of immense dynamism and turbulence within the Portuguese empire. The discovery of vast gold reserves in Minas Gerais, Brazil, transformed the country into a pivotal cornerstone of Portugal's Atlantic world, reshaping its economy, society, and political order. Historian C. R. Boxer's meticulously detailed narrative delves into the far-reaching consequences of the gold rush, revealing how sudden wealth fueled social mobility, intensified slavery and contraband, ignited conflicts like the Paulistas versus Emboabas, and propelled the colony deeper into the intricate web of global trade networks. Boxer's analysis highlights the precarious balance upon which Brazil's prosperity rested, relying on forced labor, uneven development, and metropolitan extraction. At the same time, Boxer vividly brings to life the cultural, religious, and urban landscapes that thrived during this era. He meticulously reconstructs the rhythms of colonial towns, from Bahia to Ouro Preto, where planters, merchants, clergy, and miners clashed and collaborated. By placing Brazil within the broader Atlantic currents, including West African slave routes and European wars, Boxer demonstrates how colonial society grappled with the "growing pains" of integration into a global economy. More than a mere tale of riches and power, this book presents a sober assessment of the contradictions inherent in empire, showcasing extraordinary opulence alongside deepening inequality, resilience amidst recurring unrest. It remains a seminal study for anyone seeking to comprehend the complexities of Brazil's so-called golden age. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates the University of California Press's mission to unearth and nurture the brightest minds, granting them a platform to be heard, reach a wider audience, and make a significant impact. Drawing from a backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 203 x 133 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520362758