Imperial powers introduced property, money and greed in native America.

The destruction of real Utopias

Danilo Anton
When Pedro Alvares Cabral and his expedition came to America in April 22, 1500, the territory that later would be called Brazil, the first European contact with the Tupi coastal towns took place. The chronicler of the expedition, Pero Vaz de Caminha, left a vivid account of his experiences in a letter to King Manoel I of Portugal where he told the monarch the unusual features of the recently contacted peoples. In that country they men and women lived naked, without shame, healthy, acting spontaneousl.. It caught the attention of Caminha that although these people had none of the European crops and animals were "... stronger and better fed than us in all wheat and vegetables we eat ...". And then: "They are very well kept and very clean and remind me that the birds and wild animals, to which the air gives better plumage and skin that domesticated. Their bodies are so clean and so beautiful fleshy and could not ask for more." Besides clean and healthy they were generally described as very friendly and hospitable.

Meanwhile, Alberico Vespucci, the famous Florentine geographer, in his letters, was astonished at the freedom and innocence in native American societies   He noted that those societies knew no private property or money, and that they shared everything in common. They lived in a complete moral and social freedom, and communities worked harmoniously without kings, religion, temples, palaces or ídols.
John Hemmings says that the enthusiasm with which the native American communities, living prosperously without kings and churches, was something subversive in absolutist European societies . In 1500, Pietro Martire d'Anghiera said that among Native Americans, "the land belongs to all, like the sun and water. Mine and yours, which are the seeds of all evil do not exist for these people. They live in a golden age, and not surrounding their properties with ditches, walls or hedges. They live in open gardens, without laws or books, no judges, and naturally seek goodness hateful considering who is corrupt himself practicing evil ".
Magalhaes of Gandavo offers the following description: "In each house they live together in harmony without dissension between them. They are so friendly with one another that what belongs to one belongs to all. When one has something to eat, no matter how little, they share all their neighbors. "
The stories of the new companies began circulating in Europe. A paradise world had been discovered where nature had not been subdued, without kings, no slavery, no poverty, no pests, where there was no money, where all women and men were free and equal.
The logic of Native Americans was rigorous. A native old man asked Count Jean de Lery , "Why do you, French and Portuguese, come so far to find wood for heating? They do not have enough wood in your country? "Lery said that the wood was used to burn but to make tinctures, like they did. The old man continued, "I guess they need lots of it ..." The French responded effectively needed much, and that a trader could buy many crowded boats, and also had a host of other goods. The old man was thinking, and thought: "this very rich man, which you tell me ... do not you die? "..." If you die like all other people. " "And when you die ... what about things that leave?" ... "It's for their children or relatives ..." said Lery. The old man thought and then declared: "Now I see that you French are big crazy. Cross the sea and suffer great inconvenience, as we are told, work very hard to accumulate wealth for your children and relatives ... Did the earth that nourishes them, not enough to feed them too ?. We have, parents, and children whom we love. But we are sure that after our death the land that nurtured us we also feed them. Therefore we need not worry. "

The first chroniclers also noted the healthy life of the American people. References abound about the longevity of Americans. According to Vespucci, came to 150 years, Pigafetta, member of the expedition of Magallanes, stated that they could live 125 to 140 years. Jean de Lery himself attributed to the Tupinambá Guanabara a life expectancy of 100-120 years. Years later Jesuit Fernao Cardim said that the population of Piratininga (Sao Paulo) was full of old people over 100 years.
From: "Amerrique, the Orphans of Paradise", Danilo Anton, Piriguazu Ediciones-