Mendonça Furtado and the formation of vassalage to the North of Portuguese America in the era of illustration

Abstract:

This article deals with the conception of education present on the letters of the governor of the State of Grão-Pará and Maranhão, Francisco Xavier de Mendonça Furtado (1751-1759). Those letters were tracked down to identify the materialization of the governor 's education concept. It was discovered that, despite the little visibility given to his character, Mendonça Furtado was aligned with the new educational project for the Portuguese colony, not allowing himself to be led by the social, economic, political, and cultural structures that he found on his arrival. His determination and obstination in conducting the Portuguese state project of formation and education of human groups on Amazon, led to a tragic experience materialized in confrontation, escapes and rebellions.

Keywords:
State of Grão-Pará and Maranhão; education; Mendonça Furtado