The Colonial Background of Modern Brazil - by Caio Prado

Book Synopsis

The Colonial Background of Modern Brazil explores the intricate historical processes that shaped Brazil from its colonial origins to the early 19th century, a period marking a decisive transition toward modernity. The book provides a detailed examination of how three centuries of Portuguese colonization laid the foundation for Brazil's distinct identity as a nation. Through analysis of social, political, and economic developments, the author traces the pivotal transformations that led Brazil to the threshold of independence and the complex interplay of colonial practices and emerging national consciousness. This critical period reveals the culmination of colonization's efforts and serves as a lens to understand contemporary Brazil, where colonial legacies remain deeply embedded in the fabric of its society.

With a focus on the tropical colonization model, the book contrasts Brazil's colonial experience with that of temperate colonies, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities presented by its environment. It examines the mercantile ambitions of European settlers, the exploitation of natural resources like sugar, tobacco, and gold, and the pivotal role of enslaved labor in shaping Brazil's economic and social structures. The narrative delves into the enduring impacts of these colonial practices, from regional inequalities to the persistent influence of external economic dependencies. By illuminating Brazil's historical trajectory, this work offers readers a comprehensive understanding of how its colonial past continues to inform its present and future.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1969.