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The River Wars
Portugal didn't like the presence of other European countries along the Amazon. The Portuguese regarded the territory as their's under the Treaty of Tordesillas – even though Spain and Portugal were the only two countries which had accepted the treaty. The Portuguese decided to attack the other countries' settlements and to drive them from the Amazon. The first step was the building of a fortress at BelΘm to guard the entrance to the Amazon and to prevent foreign ships from sailing upriver. Any Foreign ships arriving on the Amazon were met by Portuguese warships, resulting in several big battles.
The most famous participant in the river wars was Pedro de Teixeira. Teixeira led many successful raids against other European settlements, but later became famouse for his role leading the first European expedition up the Amazon (those previously had travelled downriver from Quito). It was Teixeira's journey which claimed most of the Amazon Basin territory for Portugal/Brazil.
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Early
in the 1600s, there were several European countries who
wanted to establish colonies along the Amazon river.
These included the English, Irish, French, and Dutch.
Settlers were interested in Brazilwood from the nearby
rainforests. Brazilwood was a dark red wood which was in
great demand in Europe because it could be used for
making red dye, or used for decorative panels in
buildings. Other attractions included then-exotic plants
such as cacπo (cocoa), cotton, and sarsaparilla.
The Portuguese also sent soldiers upriver in
canoes to raid and destroy the other settlements. These
raiding parties mostly consisted of Indians who had been
recruited to fight for the Portuguese and were led by
Portuguese officers. The other European countries had
also recruited Indians – this meant that even though
the wars were between European powers it was Indians who
did most of the fighting.
