- Monoculture economy: The Portuguese crown enforced a monoculture economy in Brazil, meaning that the colony was primarily focused on producing a single crop for export. This crop was sugarcane, which was highly profitable and in demand in Europe. The monoculture economy made Brazil heavily reliant on the export of sugarcane and vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices.
- Mercantilism: The Portuguese crown implemented a mercantilist policy, which aimed to maximize the colony's exports and minimize its imports. This policy restricted Brazil's trade to Portugal and prohibited direct trade with other countries. The mercantilist system benefited Portugal by ensuring a steady supply of raw materials and a market for its manufactured goods, but it limited Brazil's economic development and prevented the growth of local industries.
Political Control
- Colonial administration: Brazil was governed by a Portuguese governor-general who was appointed by the king of Portugal. The governor-general had extensive powers and was responsible for all aspects of the colony's administration. The Portuguese crown also established a system of local government, with towns and cities being governed by municipal councils (câmaras municipais).
- Land grants: The Portuguese crown granted large landholdings (sesmarias) to Portuguese settlers and plantation owners. These land grants gave the recipients extensive power over the土地 and its inhabitants, and they often led to the exploitation and mistreatment of indigenous peoples and African slaves.
Social Control
- Catholicism: The Portuguese imposed Catholicism as the official religion of Brazil. Religious orders, such as the Jesuits and Franciscans, played a crucial role in converting indigenous peoples and African slaves to Christianity. Catholicism was used as a tool of social control, as it helped to maintain the social hierarchy and suppress dissent.
- Inquisition: The Portuguese Inquisition was established in Brazil in 1591 to suppress religious dissent and heresy. The Inquisition persecuted Jews, Protestants, and other religious minorities, and it played a role in maintaining the dominance of Catholicism in Brazil.
Cultural Control
- Portuguese language: The Portuguese language was imposed on Brazil, and it became the official language of the colony. The Portuguese crown encouraged the use of Portuguese in education and administration, and it discouraged the use of indigenous languages. The imposition of Portuguese helped to create a sense of cultural unity among Brazilians and contributed to the development of a Brazilian national identity.
- European cultural influences: European cultural influences were pervasive in Brazil, particularly in the areas of art, architecture, and literature. The Portuguese settlers brought their own cultural traditions to Brazil, and they also adopted elements of indigenous and African cultures. The result was a syncretic culture that blended European, indigenous, and African influences.
