The Guarani’s Militias in Paraguay and Silver River: Scopes and limitations (1649-1756)

Abstract

The present research tries to show the impact that the creation of the guaraníes militias had on the geopolitical and socioeconomic platenses frontiers, during the XVII and part of the XVIII centuries. We start from the idea that the frontiers were historically formed by the articulation of interests, action and meanings given by the local actors and the central powers. According to this concept, we are going to analyze the situational influence of the missionary army on the main bordering and political conflicts originated in the governments of Paraguay and Buenos Aires and we are also taking into account their achievements and limitations in relation to geopolitical regional dynamic. On the other hand, it is interesting to point out the impact of the privileges obtained by the Jesuit Missions and the negative effects that the condition of “milicias del Rey” brought to the missionary life.