"Study of evolving relations between Venezuela and Brazil in 19th and early 20th centuries. Sees Río Branco's actions as shaping relations between the two nations. The 1859 treaty solved colonial-era disputes, while Río Branco used international situations between 1902-1912 to assert Brazilian dominance in Amazon basin, while simultaneously professionalizing Brazil's foreign ministry"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.