History of Sao Paulo

Overview

Modern day Brazil is one of the largest economies in the world in addition to being a fast growing medical tourism destination. The city of Sao Paulo is a big part of that economic growth. Besides sterile hospitals, clinics, and other medical tourism facilities, this is the commercial capital of the country, home to polo playing billionaires and coffee plantation owners.  It wasn’t always like this, though. In fact, until as recently as the 18^th century, Sao Paulo barely registered on Brazil's radar. 

Early History

Sao Paulo was established in 1554 by Jesuit priests who erected a mission to convert locals to Christianity.  Their success was somewhat limited, however, due to the influence of their successors - the bandeirantes.   

The Bandeirantes consisted of roughly 300 men who conducted expeditions into the interiors of the region to enslave Indians for work on the sugar cane plantations. The bandeirantes were also responsible for the discovery of previously unexplored lands in the western part of Brazil.  

At first, the main aim of the bandeirantes was to enslave Indians, but after the first slave ships began to arrive from Africa, the need for Indian slaves diminished. The bandeirantes now focused their attention on gold mining and gem exploration.  Up until the 17^th century, these bandeirantes controlled most of the economic activity in and around Sao Paulo.  Rio was still the center of commerce in the region and acted as a point through which gemstones and gold from Minas Garais made their way out of the country for export. 

Modern History

In the 18^th century, Sao Paulo’s sugarcane plantations began to be replaced by another export.  The soil of Sao Paulo was found to be especially suitable for coffee cultivation, and soon, this city of bandeirantes evolved into a city of coffee producers.  

When slavery was abolished in1888, Sao Paulo began to look towards European immigrants as a possible source of labor. These European immigrants – mainly from Italy and Germany - began streaming in, excited by the possibilities of the new land.  These immigrants established businesses, boosted coffee production, and contributed greatly to the city’s economic growth, and before long, Sao Paulo had surpassed Rio in population and economic development. 

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