Demographic change and ethnic survival among the sedentary populations on the Jesuit mission frontiers of Spanish South America, 1609-1803 : the formation and persistence of mission communities in a comparative context / Robert H. Jackson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jackson, Robert H. (Robert Howard), author.

Series:

European expansion and indigenous response ; Volume 16.

European Expansion and Indigenous Response, 1873-8974 ; Volume 16

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jesuits--Missions--South America--History.

Jesuits.

Indians of South America--Missions--History--17th century.

Indians of South America.

Indians of South America--Missions--History--18th century.

Social change--South America--History.

Social change.

Missions--Paraguay--History.

Missions.

Missions--Bolivia--Chiquitos (Province)--History.

South America--Population--History.

South America.

South America--Ethnic relations--History.

Paraguay--Church history.

Paraguay.

Chiquitos (Bolivia : Province)--Church history.

Chiquitos (Bolivia : Province).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (306 p.)

Place of Publication:

Leiden, Netherlands ; Boston, Massachusetts : Brill, 2015.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Beginning in 1609, Jesuit missionaries established missions (reductions) among sedentary and non-sedentary native populations in the larger region defined as the Province of Paraguay (Rio de la Plata region, eastern Bolivia). One consequence of resettlement on the missions was exposure to highly contagious old world crowd diseases such as smallpox and measles. Epidemics that occurred about once a generation killed thousands. Despite severe mortality crises such as epidemics, warfare, and famine, the native populations living on the missions recovered. An analysis of the effects of epidemics and demographic patterns shows that the native populations living on the Paraguay and Chiquitos missions survived and retained a unique ethnic identity. A comparative approach that considers demographic patterns among other mission populations place the case study of the Paraguay and Chiquitos missions into context, and show how patterns on the Paraguay and Chiquitos missions differed from other mission populations. The findings challenge generally held assumptions about Native American historical demography.

Contents:

Preliminary Material

Introduction

Managing the Missions and Social-Cultural Change

Smallpox Epidemics and Smallpox Treatment

Demographic Patterns on the Paraguay and Chiquitos Mission Frontiers

Mission Demographic Patterns among Sedentary and Non-Sedentary Natives on the Frontiers of Spanish America: A Comparative Discussion

Post-Jesuit Expulsion Population Trends

Conclusions

Appendix 1: Population of the Paraguay Missions, in Selected Years

Appendix 2: Females as a Percentage of the Total Population of the Paraguay Missions

Appendix 3: Marriages Recorded in the Paraguay Missions, in Selected Years

Appendix 4: Vital Rates of the Paraguay Missions

Appendix 5: Population of the Chiquitos Missions

Appendix 6: Females as a Percentage of the Total Population of the Chiquitos Missions

Appendix 7: Marriages Recorded in the Chiquitos Missions in Selected Years

Appendix 8: Vital Rates of the Chiquitos Missions

Appendix 9: Castillian Weights and Measures Mentioned in the Text

Appendix 10: A Note on Colonial Spanish American Silver Coins

Appendix 11: Area Measurements of Agricultural Land in Spanish America

Selected Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-28500-8

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004285002 DOI