A FUSVE e a transformação de Vassouras/RJ - da economia cafeeira à cidade universitária

Abstract

This study investigates the historical and socioeconomic transformation of the municipality of Vassouras, located in the interior of the state of Rio de Janeiro, from its rise as a coffee center in the 19th century to its consolidation as a university city in the 21st century. During the Second Reign, Vassouras emerged as one of the main coffee producers in Brazil, playing an essential role in the national economy. However, the crisis in the coffee sector, the abolition of slavery, and structural changes in the global economy caused a gradual decline of the city, which culminated in a period of economic stagnation throughout the early 20th century. The research analyzes the historical, economic and social factors that drove the transition of Vassouras to an educational center, with emphasis on the role of General Severino Sombra in the founding of the University of Vassouras. The methodology adopted is qualitative and descriptive, based on documentary analysis and bibliographic review of municipal and regional historical sources, as well as iconographic and notarial collections. The results show that the creation of the University of Vassouras and its sponsor, the Severino Sombra Educational Foundation, represented a fundamental milestone in the economic and social revitalization of the municipality, bringing new investments, job creation, and increased demand for services, in addition to the appreciation of the region's historical and tourist heritage. The expansion of academic and hospital activities consolidated Vassouras as an important hub for higher education and medical care in the state of Rio de Janeiro. However, the process of institutionalization and growth also faced challenges, such as economic crises, resource management, and competition with other higher education institutions. Thus, this thesis contributes to the understanding of the processes of change and permanence in the socioeconomic development of Vassouras, inserting the history of the municipality into a broader context of urban and educational transformation in Brazil. By correlating the decline of the coffee cycle with the emergence of a new economic model centered on education, this work shows how Vassouras reinvented itself in the face of the challenges imposed by the country's economic and social dynamics.