Demographic change and ethnic survival among the sedentary populations on the Jesuit mission frontiers of Spanish South America, 1609-1803

Description:

"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."--

subjects: Missions,  Indians of South America,  Social change,  Ethnic relations,  Church history,  Jesuits,  Population,  History,  Indians of south america, missions,  Missions, paraguay,  Missions, bolivia,  South america, population,  South america, religion,  South American Indians,  Religious Missions,  Race Relations,  History, 17th Century,  History, 18th Century

Places: Paraguay,  South America,  Bolivia,  Chiquitos (Bolivia : Province),  Chiquitos (Province)

Times: 17th century,  18th century