MINAS
GERAIS HISTORY |
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| Minas Gerais was formed mainly by colonists who searched for veins of gold
and gems, and later diamonds (the name literally means general mines, a
shortening from Minas dos Matos Gerais, or mines of the general woods, this
being originally the hinterland to the incipient colonies of São Paulo dos
Campos de Piratininga and São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro). These helped to
boost occupation of the inner lands, and led to the foundation of several
new villages. The first capital and seat of the local see was the city of
Mariana; it was later moved to Vila Rica. In the late 18th century, Vila
Rica was the biggest city in Brazil, and one of the biggest of the Americas
in population. As the gold mines were exhausted over the 19th century, the
city lost its importance; it was lately renamed to Ouro Preto and remained
as capital until the construction of the all-new, planned city of Belo
Horizonte, at the turn of the 20th century. |
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The gold cycle left its mark in cities as Mariana, Ouro Preto, Sabará,
Tiradentes and São João Del Rey. The relative isolation from european
influence, added to the huge influx of gold and other valuable minerals
helped the local people to develop their own art school, that became known
as Barroco Mineiro. Prime examples of this period are the richly decorated
churches at the colonial cities, some of them preserved today as museums.
The most important artist of this period was Antônio Lisboa, that became
known as Aleijadinho. His statues and paintings are now highly valued by
experts as one of the most refinate artistic expressions out of Europe at
that time.
During the 18th century, mining exploration was strongly controlled by the
Portuguese Crown, which imposed heavy taxes on everything extracted (one
fifth of all gold would go to the Crown). Several rebellions were attempted
by the colonists, always facing strong reaction by the imperial crown. The
most notable one was Inconfidência, started by group of middle-class
colonists, mostly intellectuals and young officers. They were inspired by
the American and French Revolutions and Illuminist ideals. The conspiracy
failed and the rebels were arrested and exiled. The most famous of them,
Joaquim José da Silva Xavier (known as Tiradentes), was hanged by order of
Queen Maria I of Portugal, becoming a local hero and a national martyr of
Brazil. Minas Gerais flag - a red triangle on white background - is based on
the design for the national flag proposed by the "Inconfidentes", as the
rebels became known.
Due to the economic importance of the state and the particular traits of the
local population - famed for its reserved and balanced character - Minas
Gerais has played an important role on national politics. During the 19th
century, politicians such as José Bonifácio Andrada were instrumental at the
stablisment of the Brazilian Empire, under the rule of Dom Pedro I and later
his son, Dom Pedro II. After the installation of the Brazilian Republic,
over the early 20th century, Minas Gerais shared the control of the national
political scene with São Paulo in what became known as "Coffee and Milk"
political cycle (coffee being the major product of São Paulo, and milk from
Minas Gerais).
Minas Gerais was also home to two of the most influential brazilian
politicians from the second half of the 20th century. Juscelino Kubitschek
was president from 1956 to 1961, and he was responsible for the construction
of Brasília as the new capital of Brazil. Tancredo Neves had an extensive
political career that culminated with his election in 1984 to be the first
civil president after the 1964 military countercoup. However, he died after
a series of health complications just as he was about to assume the position. |
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