To carry out the pacification and conversion…

1552 CE to 1563 CE

To carry out the pacification and conversion of the Brazilian natives, the crown chooses the new Jesuit order of the Society of Jesus, which is international in membership and military in structure and which has the task of defending and spreading the Catholic Counter-Reformation.

The Jesuits have a major impact on Brazil, despite their small numbers—one hundred and twenty-eight by 1598.

The natives respond to the Jesuits with initial acceptance, then regression, evasion, and enmity.

The objective of the Jesuits is to Europeanize the natives by resettling them in native villages (aldeias).

In a recurring pattern, the first aldeia near Bahia (1552) soon disintegrates as the natives who survive the European-born diseases fade into the interior beyond the Jesuits' reach.

Europeanization is overcome by a sort of Brazilianization, as the Jesuits blend native songs, dances, and language into the liturgy and as the colonists adopt native foods, women, language, and customs.

However, the first bishop of Brazil (1551), Dom Pero Fernandes Sardinha, objects to the Jesuit accommodation with indigenous culture.

He throws the weight of his authority behind subjugation and enslavement.

At issue is the nature of the future of Brazilian society.

The bishop, who has served in Goa and ironically had taught Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuit founder, insists that Europeanization must precede baptism.

He believes Brazil, like India, should have a dual society made up of heathen natives ruled by a small number of Portuguese.

The conflict between the Jesuits and the bishop has far-reaching significance for Brazil's future.

Locations
Salvador Bahia Brazil View →

People
Ignatius of Loyola View → Pero Fernandes Sardinha View → Thomé de Sousa View →

Groups
Tupinambá View → Brazil, Indigenous people in View → Portuguese people View → French people (Latins) View → Aimoré people View → Christians, Roman Catholic View → France, (Valois) Kingdom of View → Portugal, Avizan (Joannine) Kingdom of View → Portuguese Empire View → Brazil, Colonial View → Jesuits, or Order of the Society of Jesus View → France, (Bourbon) Kingdom of View →

Topics
Age of Discovery View → Colonization of the Americas, Portuguese View → Counter-Reformation (also Catholic Reformation or Catholic Revival) View →

Commodities
Colorants View → Strategic metals View → Slaves View → Sweeteners View → Lumber View →

Subjects
Origins View → Exploration View → Faith View → Government View →

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