Pernambuco

History

Pernambuco was first colonized by Portuguese settlers.

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In 1534 King John III of Portugal created the Hereditary Captaincies. Pernambuco, one of these captaincies, was granted to Duarte Coelho. The hereditary lord of a captaincy was known as Capitão-Mor.

Related Topics:
1534 - John III of Portugal - Hereditary Captaincies - Duarte Coelho - Capitão-Mor

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Duarte Coelho had arrived at Pernambuco, then known as Nova Lusitânia (New Lusitania), in 1535 and established his government in the area on which Olinda was to be founded.

Related Topics:
1535 - Olinda

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After bloodshed battles against the Caetê Indians, which had an alliance with the French, Duarte Coelho founded Olinda at the site of the Marin Indian village. This victory made possible to estabilize the captaincy and to start Portuguese rule.

Related Topics:
Caetê - French - Duarte Coelho - Olinda

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The village (vilas) of Olinda (first capital) and Igarassu were founded 1537.

Related Topics:
Olinda - Igarassu

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Pernambuco was one of the two only prosperous captaincies (the other was São Vincente), mainly due to the plantation of sugar cane and cotton.

Related Topics:
São Vincente - Plantation - Sugar cane - Cotton

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With the support of Dutch East India Company, the sugar mills (engenho) were constructed and the sugar industry had greatly developed. In 1612, Pernambuco produced 14,000 tons of sugar; by 1640s, more than 24,000 tons of sugar were exported to Amsterdam.

Related Topics:
Dutch East India Company - 1612 - 1640

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In 1630, Pernambuco, as well as many Portuguese possessions in Brazil, was occupied by the Dutch. Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, count of Nassau, was appointed as ruler of the Nieuw Holland (Dutch colonization enterprise in Brazil).

Related Topics:
1630 - Dutch - Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen - Nieuw Holland

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Nassau's government built Maritania or Mauristaad (Recife) on delta islands, which is somewhat similar to Holland's topography. This moved the political focus from Olinda to Recife. The Nassau's Dutch administration was noted for advancements in urbanism, culture, and science. The Dutch legacy is still recognizable in Pernambuco's people, accent, and architecture.

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Portugal reconquered Recife in 1654 and Olinda regained its status of political center. However, Recife remained the commercial /port city.

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In 1710 the Mascate War took place in Pernambuco. This conflict set the mascates (traveling salesman) from Recife against the establishment hosted in Olinda and led by the Senhores de Engenho (owners of the sugar mills, literally: sugar mill lords).

Related Topics:
1710 - Mascate War - Senhores de Engenho

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Pernambuco was the home to the most important rebellions and insurrections in Brazilian history, especially in the 19th century.

Related Topics:
Brazilian history - 19th century

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1817 was the year of the Pernambucan Revolution, a republican separatist movement which resulted in the creation of the Republic of Pernambuco. The main cause of the revolution was dissatisfaction with the colonial administration. The republic was declared on March 7, 1817. After military intervention, the secession ended on May 20, 1817. The current flag of Pernambuco is actually the flag of that Republic.

Related Topics:
1817 - Pernambucan Revolution - Separatist movement - March 7 - May 20

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As a reaction to the Emperor Dom Pedro I dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the Confederation of the Equator was set up on July 2, 1824.

Related Topics:
Emperor - Dom Pedro I - Constituent Assembly - Confederation of the Equator - July 2 - 1824

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The Confederation was another separatism movement which encompassed the provinces of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará. On November 29, 1824, the Confederated forces capitulated to the imperial army.

Related Topics:
Paraíba - Rio Grande do Norte - Ceará - November 29 - 1824

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Pernambuco was the site of the brief liberal republican Praieira revolt in 1848, which was Brazil's response to the European year of failed liberal revolutions. The military officer who put it down was Deodoro da Fonseca, later briefly the first president of the Brazilian republic.

Related Topics:
Praieira revolt - 1848 - Deodoro da Fonseca

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