Colonization Policy in São Paulo (1890-1945): Colonial Nuclei and Areas of Colonization : subsidies to great properties

Abstract

The colonization politic implemented by the São Paulo state government from the time of the proclamation of the Republic, centered on the foundation of Colonial Nuclei and Areas of colonization in several regions of the State. Settled in areas where coffee and bananas were cultivated for exportation, the small producers were subordinated to the interests of great producers. Colonial Nuclei and Colonization Areas were presented in official discourse as concrete ways of promoting small production. However, in most cases, these turned out to be used either as man power reserves or as pioneering fronts for posterior expansion of exportation cultures. This colonization politiy therefore constituted one of the instruments of the conservative management of the territory to the extent that it kept largely untouchedthe structure of large estates and the interests of agro-exporters. Discussion of this issue brings up one of the many impasses of current agrarian reality in São Paulo and helps elucidate points for the understanding of the dilemmas faced by social movements in the field.