The Brazilian Imperial State and the military colonisation of Amazonia (1840-1867)

Abstract

This article presents the investigation regarding the partic-ipation of the Brazilian Imperial State in the process of occupation of the Brazilian Amazon, from 1840 to 1867, in view of the articulated political project of colonization of inhospitable areas considered as sertões and of control of the indigenous population. The study carries out an exploratory analysis, based on specialized historiography and documents, about the legal-administrative framework of the occupation process in the Northern region of Brazil. In addition, it presents the results of research on military colonization, through the survey and analysis of sources produced by the Ministry of War Affairs, articulat-ing the sources produced with the interests of the Brazilian State when the country was still working to build its territory and its identity. Focusing on the New Political History, the analysis was based on doc-umentation produced by the Army during the period. Thus, we analyze the historical role of this State institution destined to control borders and examine the social tensions in this space around the historical occupation of the territory and in the construction of an ideal of order and civilization desired by the State.