This collection of essays--which also includes a previously unpublished narrative by an original settler-- examines the fascinating experiences of southern Confederate exiles in Brazil and their continuing legacy.
During the late 1860s Southerners dissatisfied with the outcome of the Civil War and fearful of the extent of Union reprisals migrated to Brazil to build a new life for themselves. The Confederados--the great majority from Alabama and Texas--began a century-long adventure to establish a new homeland and to preserve important elements of their Old South heritage.
For more than a hundred years, descendants of the original settlers have largely maintained their language and customs while contributing to Brazil's economy and society. Here, scholars from many fields examine every aspect of this unique mingling of cultures within the larger historical and cultural context.
ForewordConniffMichael L.Introduction The ConfederadosDawseyCyrus B.DawseyJames M.Leaving The Context of the Southern Emigration to BrazilDawseyCyrus B.DawseyJames M.The Journey The Sarah Bellona Smith Ferguson NarrativeDawseyCyrus B.DawseyJames M.Settling Migration of the McMullan Colonists and Evolution of the Colonies in BrazilGriggsWilliam C.Fitting In Relocating Family and Capital within the Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World Economy: The Brazilian ConnectionJarnaginLauraThe Heritage The Confederados' Contributions to Brazilian Agriculture, Religion, and EducationDawseyJames M.DawseyCyrus B.The Baptists Southern Religion and Émigrés to Brazil, 1865–1885FlyntWayneThe Methodists The Southern Migrants and the Methodist MissionDawseyJames M.A Community Center Evolution and Significance of the Campo Site in the Santa Bárbara Settlement AreaDawseyCyrus B.Constructing Identity Defining the American Descendants in BrazilDawseyJohn C.The Language The Preservation of Southern Speech among the ColonistsMontgomeryMichael B.MeloCecil AtaideConclusions Currents in Confederado ResearchDawseyCyrus B.DawseyJames M.Postscript Reflections of a ConfederadoHarterEugene C.NotesAnnotated BibliographyGravoisJames M.WeisbrodElizabeth J.ContributorsIndex
Cyrus B. Dawsey is Professor of Geography and Director of the Institute for Latin American Studies at Auburn University. James M. Dawsey is Dean of the Faculty at Emory and Henry College. Michael L. Conniff is Professor and Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of South Florida.