History of Sao Paulo Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tibirica

At this time, the area that is now Sao Paulo was called Piratininga and was occupied by a number of native tribes, mostly Tupi people. The conversion of Cacique Tibirica was significant because it gave the Portuguese a key ally against the other tribes and allowed the Jesuit missionaries to do their work in relative safety. Tibirica changed his name to Martim Afonso after he converted and his daughter married into a wealthy Portuguese family.

Answer: Patio do Colegio

The Patio do Colegio is a Jesuit Church that was founded by a group of twelve Jesuits, most notably Jose de Anchieta. It was originally constructed in the same style as that the native tribes built their buildings but it was soon renovated in the colonial style. The original church collapsed in 1896 but it was rebuilt on the same spot in the same style.

Answer: Destruction by hurricanes

The main reason why Sao Paulo was not receiving new settlers was its inland location. Other cities in Brazil were located along the Atlantic Ocean and were thus a lot more appealing to colonists. Another problem with being located inland is that potential colonists and travelers were often attacked by native tribes along the Path Piraique. Sao Paulo was mostly reliant on local farms for its economy. However, the few Europeans who lived there were poor and could not afford to purchase slaves from Africa to tend to the farms, which prevent the small farms from growing into larger enterprises.

Sao Paulo was not severally damaged by a hurricane during this time period.

Answer: To find gold

Gold had been discovered in the nearby region of Minas Gerais. Bandeirantes had set up their headquarters in Sao Paulo, which brought many wealthy people to the city. Bandeirantes were called such because they were said to be expanding the Portuguese presence (symbolized by flags) into Spanish controlled territory.

The bandeirantes were initially hostile to the natives but had to change their tone because they could not survive going deeper into the continent without the natives' help.

Answer: Ipiranga Monument

The Ipiranga Monument is also known as the Monument to the Independence of Brazil and as the Altar of the Fatherland. The Ipiranga Monument was built in 1922 to celebrate Brazil's centennial anniversary. Inside the large monument is the crypt of the Brazilian Royal Family, which was built in 1972. It is also technically a Catholic cathedral and masses are often said there.

Answer: Coffee

Sugar cane was once the dominant crop in Sao Paulo but by the mid 19th century, coffee had surged passed sugar cane. The demands of the coffee industry saw an influx of slaves and a steady increase in infrastructure building, especially of railways. It was also during the coffee boom that schools and universities were built.

Answer: Abolition of slavery

The Lei Aurea translates to Golden Law and refers to the abolition of slavery in Brazil. Sao Paulo's coffee plantations were almost entirely dependent on slave labor. With the abolition of slavery came money for plantation owners to hire immigrant laborers to avoid a complete economic collapse.

However, plantation owners were still angry with Isabel and the monarchy in general and overthrew the Brazilian Empire by 1889.

Answer: The dominance of Sao Paulo in Brazilian politics

During the Old Republic Period, Brazilian politics were almost entirely dominated by two states: Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. Sao Paulo was famous for its coffee production and Minas Gerais for its dairy. Sao Paulo was the strongest of the two so the situation became known as "coffee with milk".

The presidents of Brazil typically alternated between someone from Sao Paulo and someone from Minas Gerais.

Answer: Getulio Vargas

Sao Paulo was growing stronger, more populous and more powerful as the years went on. In 1930, the Sao Paulo candidate, Julio Prestes won the election. This broke with the coffee and milk policy that had been in place for decades. Leaders from Minas Gerais aligned with other states and led a coup against Prestes. Prestes never took office and went into exile. In 1932, Vargas went to Sao Paulo where the people rebelled but he remained in office. Five people were killed in the protests. The military quashed the rebellion later in 1932.

Vargas would later exploit fear of Communism to become a dictator until he was thrown out of office in 1945 but he returned in 1951 and served until he committed suicide three years later.

Answer: Rise in bus fares

High inflation saw rate hikes in different forms of public transportation in Brazil. The demonstration first began in the city of Natal in 2012. Sao Paulo's protests began in 2013 and by June, the protests had become so large that the police could not control them even though they were mostly peaceful (which was not the case in other cities).

The police started using rubber bullets, tear gas and tanks to control the crowd. The crowd than expanded its protests to include protest against police brutality and corruption by the federal government (which many had believed was behind the rate hikes).