The history of Brazil is quite an interesting field to study. In this largest South American country, a wide variety of cultures have been mixed for many centuries. Therefore, the history of Brazil is so interesting and full of various facts. We will talk about it briefly in this review.
Brazil before European discovery
The history of Brazil before its discovery by Europeans has not been studied as well as we would like. The country was inhabited by various tribes of Indians: Ache, Piraha, Guazhazhara, Munduruku, Tupi, and others. They mainly led a primitive nomadic and semi-nomadic economy. Although there were also agricultural cultures, for example, on the island of Marajo.
None of the Indian tribes of Brazil in the pre-colonial period even approached the level of creating their own statehood.
Arrival of Europeans in Brazil
Radically the history of Brazil has changed after its discovery by the Europeans. The expedition of the Portuguese Pedro Alvares Cabral, who reached the shores of modern Brazil in 1500, was the first to discover this country for the Old World. Cabral called these territories the Land of Vera Cruz (True Cross), but after a few years it wasrenamed Land of Santa Cruz (Holy Cross). Later, the name "Brazil" was fixed, by the name of one of the trees that grew here. In addition, the discoverer founded a small fortress on the new lands - Fort Segera, which translates as Safe Harbor.
This traveler was followed by many other European expeditions to Brazil. Most often, the Portuguese began to visit this country, realizing what we alth it possesses and what it can bring to the Portuguese crown. In addition, these lands were considered Portuguese according to the division of the world in 1494 between Portugal and Spain.
Colonial Brazil
But permanent settlers from Portugal to Brazil began to stay only from 1530. The cities of San Vicente (1532) and Salvador (1549) were founded. The latter became the administrative center of the colony.
Soon Brazil became the center of sugarcane production. This crop was cultivated mainly by black slaves massively imported from Africa.
In the first half of the 17th century, the Portuguese, who inhabited Brazil, had to wage a difficult struggle with the Dutch, who also claimed part of these territories. In addition, the Portuguese colony was expanding its territories inland.
Empire
After the troops of the French emperor Napoleon occupied the territory of Portugal, the Portuguese king João VI crossed with his court to Brazil, where he made Rio de Janeiro his residence. How did Brazil develop, if he did not take this step -unknown, but one thing is clear: this was the beginning of a new period in its history, when it ceased to be just a colony.
It should be noted that even after Napoleon was elected, João VI did not want to return from Brazil to Lisbon. He did this only in 1821 under pressure from Portuguese aristocratic circles. In Brazil, he left his son Pedro in the status of Viceroy. But when the Portuguese parliament tried to completely destroy Brazilian autonomy, Pedro refused to obey and proclaimed himself emperor. From this moment, the history of the state of Brazil begins.
When in 1826 the father of the Brazilian emperor Pedro I, the Portuguese king João VI, died, the son refused to become the monarch of Portugal, and left the throne of this country for his young daughter. However, his brother Miguel soon overthrew his niece. Therefore, Pedro I abdicated the Brazilian throne in favor of his young son Pedro II, and he himself went to Portugal to call his brother to account.
Under Emperor Pedro II, Brazil became a powerful power capable of dictating its terms on the continent. During the empire, there was a reorientation of the country's industrial specialization from the cultivation of sugar cane to the cultivation of coffee. Slavery increasingly faded into the background until it was finally banned in 1888.
Establishment of a republic
However, despite the success of the government, the history of Brazil soon changed dramatically. The country is getting strongerRepublican forces. In 1889, Emperor Pedro II was overthrown in a bloodless coup. Brazil became a federal republic.
The period from 1889 to 1930 is called the Old Republic. During this period of time, a number of uprisings took place in the country, in particular, a mutiny in the fleet (1893-1894) and the Canudus uprising (1896-1897). During the First World War, Brazil officially took the side of the Entente countries, but its real help was minimal.
The era of dictatorships
In 1930, the Old Republic was actually liquidated, as a result of a coup, a political force led by Getulio Vargas came to power. In the early days of Vargas' reign, a number of progressive laws were adopted, in particular the Constitution, and women were given the right to vote. But soon the regime became reactionary and acquired fascist features. Vargas began to persecute the opposition forces, and in 1937 declared a state of emergency, dissolved the Congress and established a de facto dictatorship.
Despite the fact that the Vargas regime resembled a fascist one, during the Second World War he joined the Anti-Hitler coalition and sent Brazilian soldiers to the front.
After the end of the war, Vargas was forced to resign. The Second Republic was established, in which the former Minister of Defense under Vargas, Euriku Gaspar Dutre, became president. A new constitution was also adopted. In 1951, Vargas again came to power, already as president of a democratic republic, but in 1954year under mysterious circumstances committed suicide.
The next president, Juscelino Kubitschek, moved the capital to a specially built city for this purpose - Brasilia.
In 1964, there was a military coup, during which the highest ranks of the army seized power in the country. This authoritarian political regime lasted until 1985.
Modern stage
But in the mid-80s it became clear that in the modern world Brazil would not be able to develop effectively under the previous regime. The history of the country changed again in 1985, when the military, under pressure from the people, were forced to cede power. Democratic elections were held, during which the electors elected Tancredo de Almeida Nevis, who soon died, as president. His duties were taken over by Vice President José Sarney. In 1988, a new constitution was adopted.
In 1989, the first popular presidential election since 1960 was held. They were won by Fernando Collor. However, two years later he was accused of corruption and he was impeached. Such a fate already befell President Dilma Rousseff in 2016. Michelle Timer became her successor.
Currently, Brazil is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In addition, it is one of the five largest and most populous states on Earth.
Interesting facts
We learned how Brazil has developed over the centuries. Historical facts can be not only instructive, but also interesting. About some of themwe'll talk now.
The modern capital of Brasilia was created in 1960 according to the plans of the architect Oscar Niemeyre. It is one of the youngest capital cities in the world. Brasilia is the third capital of Brazil after Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil's largest city is Sao Paulo, which has never had capital status.
Genetically, most modern Brazilians are descendants of the Portuguese on the male line, and representatives of local Indian tribes on the maternal side.
The symbol of the country is installed in Rio de Janeiro - the Statue of Christ in Brazil. The history of this 38-meter monument begins in 1922. It was then that its construction began, and the occasion was the celebration of the centenary of the country's independence. The building was completed in 1931. Now the statue is recognized as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World.
