The history of Brazil is marked by a long and complex process of struggles over various national projects, passing through moments of significant political, social and economic instability.
Although there is no universally defined starting point, the arrival of the Portuguese, led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, on the southern coast of what is now Bahia on 22 April 1500 is generally regarded as the beginning of the European presence in the territory. This event is traditionally known as the Discovery of Brazil.
However, it is important to emphasise that this was a discovery from a European point of view. Various indigenous peoples had inhabited Brazilian territory for thousands of years, with their own cultures, languages and social organisations.
Brazil is the historical result of several different projects that took place within a specific geographical delimitation. Initially, it was a project of conquest; later, a project of colonisation; in the 19th century, a project of empire and the constitution of a nation-state; and finally, a project of Republica Brasileira, which we are still trying to maintain today.
Refers to the period before the arrival of the Portuguese, characterised by the presence of various indigenous peoples in Brazilian territory, which marked a diversity of cultures, languages and social practices.
It began with the arrival of Cabral and lasted until the beginning of actual colonisation. During this period, the first contacts between colonists and indigenous peoples took place, with cultural exchanges, conflicts and exploratory activities standing out.
Covers the period when Brazil was a colony of the Kingdom of Portugal. It is characterised by economic exploitation, especially through agriculture and mining, and by the establishment of colonial administrative structures.
It began with the independence of Brazil in 1822 and lasted until the proclamation of the Republic in 1889. This period was marked by the consolidation of the Brazilian state, internal conflicts and the abolition of slavery in 1888.
Divided into several phases:
These periods show how Brazilian history is made up of ruptures and continuities, always centred on the search for a national identity and more stable forms of political and social organisation.
Hereditary captaincies created between 1534 and 1536 Implementing the plan announced to Martim Afonso de Sousa in 1532, King João III created, between 1534 and 1536 alone, fourteen hereditary captaincies in Brazil, subdivided into fifteen lots and distributed to twelve grantees. Located along the coastline, from Maranhão to Santa Catarina, […]
To populate the deserted Atlantic Ocean islands discovered in the 15th century, such as Madeira, Porto Santo, the Azores, Cape Verde and São Tomé, Portugal granted them to the noblemen and other interested parties who discovered them, or who were capable of exploiting them. This was done in the form […]
Context and controversy Several authors have debated the similarities and differences between the Hereditary Captaincies and medieval feudalism, contesting interpretations that compare the two systems. Queirós Lima acknowledged similarities, but rejected the idea of equivalence. 1. Argument: There was no feudalism in the hereditary captaincies. 1.1 Authors who are opposed […]
Hereditary Captaincies in the 16th Century: Background to their Creation Despite being a small country with limited resources, Portugal distinguished itself through its great voyages and explorations in the 15th century. In the following century, he was tasked with colonising territories in Asia and America, in addition to the work […]
The return of Martim Afonso de Sousa to Portugal A brief account of Martim Afonso’s return to Portugal after completing his work in São Vicente, covering royal decisions and appointments, as well as the journey back. 1. Context in São Vicente Martim Afonso continued his colonising work in São Vicente. […]
Martim Afonso’s voyage to Brazil (1530–1532) and Pero Lopes’ return to Portugal. The expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa to Brazil (1530–1532) marked the beginning of regular Portuguese colonisation. This involved reconnaissance missions, the occupation of the land and the exploitation of brazilwood, as well as the administrative organisation […]
Martim Afonso de Sousa’s voyage to Brazil was a maritime expedition involving military, exploratory and colonising activities along the coast of Brazil and the River Plate. Between December 1530 and January 1532, the fleet sailed around the Atlantic islands, fought privateers, made contact with indigenous peoples (including a reunion with […]
The expedition of Martim Afonso de Sousa: towards the colonisation of Brazil. Martim Afonso de Sousa came from one of the most notable families in Portugal. He was a descendant of Dom Afonso III through illegitimacy — meaning he had a blood tie to the royal family through an ancestor […]
The colonising expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa and sent by the King of Portugal in 1530 was the first official attempt at permanently occupying the territory that would become Brazil. The expedition comprised ships, soldiers, settlers and technicians. Its objectives were to combat French trading posts, explore the […]
From the start of the 16th century until its midpoint, the Brazilian coast saw frequent passages and incursions by Spanish navigators, either en route to the Antilles and Venezuela or searching for a passage to the Pacific and the Moluccas. The Moluccas, now known as the Maluku archipelago, are a […]
European interest in and conflict over Brazilwood in the 16th and 17th centuries. This chapter examines the exploitation and trade of Brazilwood along the Brazilian coast during the early years of colonisation. It highlights the commercial practices of the Portuguese, the significant involvement of French shipowners, and the repressive measures […]
The Portuguese expedition to Brazil in 1503: discoveries, controversies and developments. Several printed and handwritten sources from the early 16^(th) century — many of which are attributed to Amerigo Vespucci — describe a second Portuguese expedition to Brazil between 1503 and 1504, in which the Florentine navigator is said to […]
The captains of Pedro Álvares Cabral’s fleet proposed sending an expedition to explore the new land further. In 1501, King Manuel accepted the proposal and organised three ships for the mission. The main objective was to explore the newly discovered land in greater detail. This involved recognising and mapping the […]
The Portuguese intention behind Cabral’s discovery of Brazil. Some historians debate whether it was Spanish sailors or the Portuguese who first sighted the lands of Brazil. Even without documentary evidence, French writers claimed French precedence regarding the voyage of a certain Jean Cousin in 1488. However, the Brazilians Ramiz Galvão […]
Although the Spanish navigator Vicente Yánez Pinzón is considered to have discovered Brazil first, according to the Treaty of Tordesillas, the official discovery is attributed to the Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral. We will now study his voyage. 1. The Expedition Upon receiving news of Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage […]
Spanish exploration of the South American coast between 1499 and 1500: Ojeda, Pinzón, and Diogo de Lepe. Following the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, who was working for the Kingdoms of Castile and León, a series of maritime explorations of the New World began. Christopher Columbus was the first […]
Attempts to define the meridian of the Treaty of Tordesillas. 1. The context and structure of the Treaty. The Treaty of Tordesillas stipulated that the demarcation of the 370 leagues west of Cape Verde would be carried out by pilots, astrologers and sailors from both parties. Within ten months of […]
The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided overseas territories. 1. Context King John II protested to the Roman Curia and neighbouring kings who benefited from the bulls issued by Alexander VI. He sent agents to Spain to propose a new dividing line for the overseas territories that was less harmful than […]
The bulls of Alexander VI and the dispute between Spain and Portugal over the new lands (1493). This text explains the papal bulls issued by Alexander VI in 1493, particularly Inter caetera, Eximie devotionis and Dudum siquidem, and their influence on the dispute between Spain and Portugal over the newly […]
1 — Ratifications of Portuguese expansion by the Holy See 1. Context and authority of the Holy See In the Middle Ages and early Modern Age, the Holy See occupied a position superior to other Christian nations. As a supranational authority, its moral influence was recognised and reaffirmed — including […]
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