"The French do not want the Oiapoque River to be the streak for both domains": policies and disputes in the border region of French and Portuguese Guianas in the second half of the 18th century

Abstract

This article aims to present the defense policies of the portuguese overseas territory on the fronties of Grão-Pará with French Guiana, in the last quarter of the 18th century. I would highlight the understanding of some forms of ocupation on the frontiers territories between Grão-Pará and French Guiana, especially in area between the rivers Oiapoque and Araguari. These territories were beyond the traditional policies by the Lusitanian State to conquer, colonize and defend. The occupation process of those territories involved the deserters military, indigenous, religious and escaped enslaved workers - all the agents that established dynamics and sociability networks independent of the diplomatic agreements and the policies approaches of France and Portugal.