“Nervo deste Reyno” La red europea de agentes de la Companhia Geral de Comércio do Brasil

ABSTRACT

In 1649, the Portuguese Government established the General Trade Company of Brazil under the protection of King João IV. The original plan was to engage the most active traders at that time to promote the profitable route offered by the Portuguese Atlantic, particularly with Brazil. These would, therefore, promote the trade between Portugal and his colonies by deploying the connections of the New Christians (forcibly converted Jews) and their transnational networks. This paper aims not only to disclose the European network of the General Trade Company of Brazil, but also to shed light on its agents’ role and duties within the Company.

Keywords:
Trade; Brazil; Networks; Empire; Brazil General Commercial Company; Commercial Agents