The story in brief
In 1867, Brazil signs a treaty that hands Bolivia a forest. Thirty years later, it is full of rubber tappers from Brazil’s Northeast. A Spaniard proclaims a country there, a surveyor from the far south starts a revolution, and a baron buys the land for 2 million pounds and a railway.
The chapters
-
Chapter 1 · 5 min · Free
A Line on Paper
In 1867, Brazil signs a treaty that gives Bolivia a whole forest. Thirty years later, it is full of Brazilians.
Sources: Treaty of Ayacucho, La Paz, 27 March 1867; Leandro Tocantins, Formação histórica do Acre; Barbara Weinstein, The Amazon Rubber Boom
-
Chapter 2 · 5 min · Free
The Country of 14 July
Bolivia sets up a customs post on the Acre river. Six months later, a Spaniard proclaims a country there.
Sources: Leandro Tocantins, Formação histórica do Acre; Proclamation of the Independent State of Acre, 14 July 1899
-
Chapter 3 · 5 min
A Country for Rent
Bolivia rents Acre out to a New York company. In Rio, someone pictures the Amazon turning into a colony.
Sources: Contract of the Bolivian Syndicate, 1901; Leandro Tocantins, Formação histórica do Acre; Luiz Viana Filho, A vida do Barão do Rio Branco
-
Chapter 4 · 5 min
It’s Not a Party, It’s a Revolution
Xapuri wakes up surrounded on Bolivia’s holiday. Six months later, the war leaves the forest and ends up at a table.
Sources: Plácido de Castro, Notes on the Acre Revolution; Leandro Tocantins, Formação histórica do Acre; Luiz Viana Filho, A vida do Barão do Rio Branco
-
Chapter 5 · 5 min
Two Million Pounds and a Railway
In Petrópolis, Brazil puts money, land and a railway on the table. Bolivia has to decide.
Sources: Treaty of Petrópolis, 17 November 1903; Treaty with Peru, 8 September 1909; Law 4,070 of 15 June 1962; Rio Branco, report to the president, 27 December 1903
Who’s who
The people you meet. Each one is a hero card you can collect.
- The Rubber TappersA lamp on the hat · The rubber trail · From the backlands to the forest
- Luis GálvezThe Spanish president · Independent State of Acre · 14 July 1899
- Plácido de CastroThe surveyor turned general · The Acre Revolution · Xapuri, 1902
- José Manuel PandoPresident of Bolivia · General · The march of 1903
- Assis BrasilThe other negotiator · Diplomat from the far south · Petrópolis, 1903
- Baron of Rio BrancoThe minister who drew the map · Petrópolis, 1903 · Without firing a shot
What you’ll be able to tell
This story belongs to the journey “Almost Countries”. By the end of it, you can tell why each region wanted out, and the three ways Brazil stayed whole: a deal, the army and money.
Stories in this journey
- Farroupilha: When the South Became a Country
- Acre: The Country Brazil Bought
Sources
- Treaty of Ayacucho, 27 March 1867
- Treaty of Petrópolis, 17 November 1903
- Treaty with Peru, 8 September 1909
- Law 4,070 of 15 June 1962
- Plácido de Castro, Notes on the Acre Revolution
- Leandro Tocantins, Formação histórica do Acre
