Procuring Necessities in the Missions

Mission reforms following the Jesuit period led to increased inequality and economic decline among the Guaraní, with communal support dwindling and many resorting to direct commerce—a practice unheard of during Jesuit rule. While Guaraní leaders gained more influence in mission management, they could not reverse the missions' downward trajectory. The study compares living standards using mission account records, revealing that most Guaraní did not benefit from reforms and faced reduced access to communal goods.

Sarreal, J. J. S. (2014). Procuring Necessities in the Missions. The Guaraní and Their Missions, 169–191. https://doi.org/10.11126/stanford/9780804785976.003.0008