A ESCRAVATURA E OS JESUÍTAS NO BRASIL

Abstract

Summary

Slavery and the Jesuits of Colonial Brasil

The author analyses what the Jesuits did and what they did not do in benefit of the slaves in Colonial Brasil. Slavery exists since unknown times. Man subdueing man is as old as humankind itself. The slavery of the indians has been introduced in Brasil right from the beginning of colonization. The Jesuits have fought for the liberty of the indians against the oppression of the settlers. They were not, however, against all kinds of slavery. They could not be, because, according to the theological-moral structures of the time, it was possible to be a good christian and a slave-holder at the same time. It seems that the Jesuits have not been so much engaged in the liberty of the negroes. They only fought against the cruelties inflicted to the negroes, thus requesting for them the respect due to them as human persons, not so much caring for their liberty.