Jesuit Reductions

Jesuit reductions were Christian settlements in South America that were built by Jesuit priests as part of their mission to spread the Christian faith. The settlements were built to provide a place for native people to live and be protected from harm, while also learning about the Christian faith and becoming part of the larger Christian community. These settlements were called "reductions" because the Jesuit priests wanted to reduce the distance between native people and Christianity, and to create a closer relationship between the two. Jesuit reductions became important centers of trade and commerce, as well as a way for people to experience a way of life that was more peaceful and orderly than what they were used to.