Brazilian society at the start of the 20th century

What if Brittany had still been independent when America was discovered?

Here is that story!
------------------------
Map 115
PREV - FIRST - NEXT

Dynasties and rulers
----------------------

At that time, Brazilian society seemed very archaic to Europeans. It seemed to have frozen in the 17th century.

Thus, there was still religious justice. Corporal punishment was legal, as was torture (but without mutilation). The death penalty was public and used various techniques considered barbaric in Europe.

Society remains violent but regulated, legal weapons are widespread. Duels of honor to the death are tolerated. The murder of adulterous couples benefits from great leniency. Violence is more widespread among the Bretons of the North-East than the Gallos of the Center. The Brazilian armies are renowned for their bravery but also their cruelty, the worst being the "Cannibal Regiment" which committed countless savage crimes during the campaign of terror in Afghanistan. These exactions reported by English journalists shocked the whole world, up to the young King Jean X.

Brazilians practice polygamy. To legalize the lineage of the mixed-race Prince Conan I Marianne (1529-1598), the Breton tradition allied itself with that of the Indians. Thus there is a wife of the Church and "Indian" wives. Bastards or "mixed-race", descendants of "Indians", also have rights. This practice was legalized by the Pope in the 18th century only for descendants of Bretons and Indians (then for former converted Muslims). In fact, only the rich can afford to have several wives because they have to be able to support them. Priests often have an "Indian" wife.

For Brazilians it is therefore important to have Indian and Breton blood to claim polygamy. In fact 90% of the population has it at this time even if the rate of Indian blood does not exceed 15%. The Brazilian regime has carried out excavations and restored archaeological sites in the Andes and Mexico. Mayan motifs have even been integrated into some Brazilian monuments.

Racism is therefore not as clear as among other Europeans. Brazilians are relatively benevolent towards Indians, Muslims and Asians, on condition that they renounce their culture. But they are much less lenient towards Africans.

In Argentina, already a more peaceful country, the reformers have eliminated the most "medieval" practices to align themselves with Europe. The power of the Church has been greatly reduced and the buildings of the rich industrialists now exceed the bell towers, which remains forbidden in Brazil.

On the other hand, polygamy is still legal. Dissidents who can no longer stand the stifling Brazilian regime come to take refuge in Argentina by the millions.