Brazil History

The history of Brazil dates from the time when the first European settlers arrived under the leadership of Pedro Cabral. He was the man who marked the age of colonial occupation in Brazil. This historic event is slated at sometime during the 1500s. According to Brazilian history, the Portuguese found the native Indian population to be nearly seven million strong. The society of the natives was mainly dependant on agriculture, and the culture, though developed to a large extent, was primarily tribal. Cannibalism, tribal warfare, was all but ubiquitous, when the first European travelers came to Brazil. To this day, nearly 200,000 natives are found in the country.

As is the fate of all stories of invasion, the natives of the land got pushed to obsolete quarters of the land, and the invaders themselves became the predominant population of the country. To this day, the native Indians are quite reclusive and live in the jungles. Hence the enigma surrounding their culture persists and little is understood about their ways.

The platoon led by Cabral, were mainly impoverished Portuguese sailors, who came to Brazil in search of commerce. The only commodity of value found here, then, was the Brazil Wood tree from which the red dye is manufactured. According the history of Brazil, the poverty stricken European settlers were much less interested in territorial expansion, than their Spanish counterparts. The Portuguese settlers went about developing the trade and economy of the country and concentrated harder on survival and prosperity. The very fact that much of Brazil remained unexplored is evidence enough to prove that the Portuguese were much more interested in development than territorial expansion.

Brazil’s multi ethnic population

As per the history of Brazil, sugarcane cultivation was introduced to Brazil along with which came slaves imported from Africa. Due to their dwindling numbers the Portuguese settlers often married native Indians and Africans slaves. As a result of this, there was a lot of cultural and racial intermingling which is very evident in the culture of the country. In the 1690s gold was discovered in the south-central part of Brazil. The history of Brazil reflects that by the end of the 18th century, the country's mainstay had once again shifted to the agricultural regions around the coast, as the resources of gold were far flung, meager and difficult to reach.

Brazil the capital of Portugal

In 1807, Dom Joao established Brazil as the capital of his empire, following the occupation of Lisbon by Napoleon Bonaparte. Eventually in 1821 Dom Joao returned to Lisbon, but his son Dom Pedro took charge of Brazil and eventually declared the country's sovereignty by relinquishing all ties with Portugal.

And then came coffee

In the 19th century coffee came to Brazil, and put it on the world map, yet again. The coffee industry grew and flourished here and according to history of Brazil, in the year of 1889 the republic was established here and monarchy was abolished for good. According to many, it was the strength of the coffee magnates that decided the course the country took, for nearly a century. Brazilian history shows that coffee was both a boon and bane in to the country. It brought immense wealth to the state but also a lot of political instability. Ultimately in 1989, the country had its first democratic elections in three decades.

Conclusion

The influx of immigrants, economic prosperity, all went to shape the history of Brazil, as we know of it today. As of today it harbors the sixth largest population in the world. Because of its close links to Portugal, throughout the history of Brazil, the language is predominant. Apart from Portuguese, numerous other native Indian and African dialects have emerged, and mingled with main stream Portuguese.

Brazil as a country has been through a kaleidoscope of political and economic scenarios, both good and bad. The country has seen the oppression of the monarchy, the betrayal of the communist, and the corruption of the modern day politicians. But all of it has been braved by the largely immigrant population that called Brazil their homes, centuries ago. All quarters considered, what is the most vibrant factor of the Brazilian history is its long tryst with multi ethnicity. As it has been the cause behind disturbing peace, so has it lend Brazil a culture that is rich and flourishing.