Brazil A short history

Pre - Colonial Brazil developed culturally over many centuries Two theories of how the first people arrived in Brazil: –Migrated from Asia across the Bering Straight approximately 10,000 to 20,000 years ago –Arrived by raft from islands in the South Pacific or Asia

Indigenous People - Culture Indigenous people developed cultures that allowed them to live securely within their environments Example: Amazon groups combined hunting & gathering with shifting agriculture The people were nomadic, often picking up and moving when they needed more and better sources of food Large settlements sprang up along the main Amazon river because the river provided an abundance of food and was suitable for permanent farming

The Arrival of the Portuguese The Portuguese arrived in Brazil in 1500 Many indigenous people were enslaved and many died as a result of European diseases Portugal was mainly interested in Brazil’s brazilwood to be sent to Europe In order to stave off claims to Brazil from rival nations, Portugal established a colony in Brazil Portuguese people inhabited the colony and a capital city was built in Salvador da Bahia in 1549

The Arrival of the Portuguese Portuguese people adopted aspects of indigenous languages, agricultural practices, foods, medicines, and culture. Bandeirantes (flag bearers) made their way into the interior of Brazil and extended Brazil’s borders 1690: bandeirantes searched for gold and other minerals

Brazil Becomes Industrial 1690s: bandeirantes found gold in the mountains of Minas Gerais. This set off the gold rush and sparked Brazil’s industrial development 1729: diamonds discovered in the same area 1760: Brazil was the leading supplier of gold and diamonds

Slavery Abolished 1889: Brazil abolishes slavery. Slaves brought over from West Africa and Angola contributed to the emerging ethnic diversity that came to characterize Brazilian culture

Current Era: Population Patterns By the 1900s, the following population patterns emerged: –Population was a mix of African, Portuguese, Indigenous –Portuguese immigrants inhabited the South, while African immigrants inhabited the North East –Indigenous people were ravaged by disease, took refuge in the interior of Brazil

Current Era: Population Patters By the 1900s, the following population patterns emerged: –The centre of power and commerce had moved from the North East to the South East, as a result, the capital moves from Salvador to Rio de Janiero –Most people settled along the coastal lowlands –Agriculure and mining were the main economic forces