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Period: to
Rubber is exported, and Cities are improved
Because of the growth of rubber extraction cities and towns expanded. Belém and Manaus, which already existed, became transformed. Manaus was the first Brazilian city to be urbanized, and it was the second city to be electrified. In 1855, over 2,100 tons were exported from the Amazon, and by 1879, 10,000 tons were exported. -
Rubber is smuggled
Much to the dismay of Brazil (and its economy), seeds from the Pará rubber tree plantations were smuggled out and were taken to England. While these trees couldn't be grown in England, the seeds grew well in areas, such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia where there was a more tropical climate. -
Treaty of Petropolis signed
The Treaty of Petropolis is signed, halting the conflict with Bolivia, and guaranteeing effective control of the forests of Acre by Brazil. -
Construction of The Madeira Mamoré Railway Begins
Construction of The Madeira Mamoré Railway begins with the purpose of transpoting rubber. The railroad is ultimately canceled by the United States corporation Percival Farquhar. -
Period: to
Documentary on Slavery During the Rubber Boom
As the rubber boom grew, there were more labor shortages, and so the rich rubber plantation owners enslaved indigenous people and forced then to tap rubber out of trees, but at very low wages. One plantation started with 50,000 Indians and after many killings only 8,000 were still alive. Slaves' rights were abused, and in some areas 90% of the Indian population was wiped out. Roger Casement travelled the Putumayo region of Peru as a British consul during 1910-1911 and documented these abuses. -
Madeira–Mamoré Railroad
The Madeira–Mamoré Railroad is finished being built.