Designing Brazil: Colonialism and Governance from the Portuguese Enlightenment to Brazilian Independence (1750-1825)

This book presents a historical synthesis of colonial relations between Brazil and Portugal, illuminating the projects that the statesmen of the period formulated for the rich Portuguese territory in America—at first as a colonial domain, then as a potential independent country.

Drawing on primary sources and historiographical dialogues with classic and current works, the book follows a chronological thread from Marquis of Pombal’s reforms to Brazilian independence. The work is framed by glo...