THE COLONIAL ISSUE DURING THE CRITICAL CONJUNCTURE OF THE LUSO-BRAZILIAN WORLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 18TH CENTURYAbstract
The beginning of the 18th century is marked by internal and external threats and tensions to Portugal, both in the metropolis and in the colonial areas, a moment of the so-called critical conjuncture of the Luso-Brazilian world. In this context, reflections were developed regarding the dynamics of the empire and proposals for facing difficulties, resulting in a series of debates. This article intend to follow the proposals and discussions of the time, in order to identify the ideas and discussions on the colonial issue produced by agents of the royal administration on both sides of the ocean and also by mercantile agents, who, starting from the idea that Brazil’s growing wealth could bring risks to Portugal’s interests, developed the understanding that such riches should benefit Portugal and his vassals in the Kingdom.
Keywords colonial Brazil; colonial system; metropolitan exclusive; colonial administration; colonial economy