History of the Brazilian People
Brazilian People originate from a number of backgrounds. The original or indigenous people inhabited Brazil before any other people. They were hunters and gatherers living in the Forests like the Amazon Rainforest. Some of these Tribes or communities still exist today and live like their ancestors. Some of these tribes have never been contacted by the rest of civilisation. They live deep in the Amazon Rainforest and avoid contact with modern society.
On 22nd April 1500 Portuguese explorers lead by Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on the coast of Brazil. They were heading for India but were blown off course in a violent storm. In later years many more Portuguese and other European came to settle in Brazil. They were looking for valuables such as Gold and Silver. These European settlers set up massive farms and grew sugar cane and coffee beans.
From the 1530s Brazil was a colony of Portugal. This meant that Portugal was in charge of Brazil. The Portuguese collected taxes and decided the laws.
Slaves were brought from Africa to work on these large farms or plantations. Life was very tough for the slaves who usually only lived 7 years longer, once they reached Brazil. Brazil imported the most slaves in the world. Slavery was banned in 1888 in Brazil. Brazil was one of the last countries to ban slavery.
In the 1800s Portugal was under pressure from France. France was lead by Napoleon. He was an Emperor and was taking over a lot of Europe. The Portuguese King decided to move to Brazil and make Brazil the base of the Portuguese Empire. In 1821, when this threat had passed King John IV decided to move back to Portugal. King John IV left his son Pedro in charge when he went back to Portugal.
The next year Pedro lead a war against Portugal and his father. He won and set up the Brazilian Empire for himself. He was Pedro I.
In 1889, Pedro's son, Pedro II lost out in a war with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca. Brazil became a Republic which means that there are no emperors, Kings or Queens. The leaders are voted for, or elected, by the people. Brazil is a republic today.
Brazil has a rich tradition of folktales. Click on the link below for a flavour of some of these folktales. Many od them are influenced by the vast Animal Kingdom in Brazil
On 22nd April 1500 Portuguese explorers lead by Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on the coast of Brazil. They were heading for India but were blown off course in a violent storm. In later years many more Portuguese and other European came to settle in Brazil. They were looking for valuables such as Gold and Silver. These European settlers set up massive farms and grew sugar cane and coffee beans.
From the 1530s Brazil was a colony of Portugal. This meant that Portugal was in charge of Brazil. The Portuguese collected taxes and decided the laws.
Slaves were brought from Africa to work on these large farms or plantations. Life was very tough for the slaves who usually only lived 7 years longer, once they reached Brazil. Brazil imported the most slaves in the world. Slavery was banned in 1888 in Brazil. Brazil was one of the last countries to ban slavery.
In the 1800s Portugal was under pressure from France. France was lead by Napoleon. He was an Emperor and was taking over a lot of Europe. The Portuguese King decided to move to Brazil and make Brazil the base of the Portuguese Empire. In 1821, when this threat had passed King John IV decided to move back to Portugal. King John IV left his son Pedro in charge when he went back to Portugal.
The next year Pedro lead a war against Portugal and his father. He won and set up the Brazilian Empire for himself. He was Pedro I.
In 1889, Pedro's son, Pedro II lost out in a war with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca. Brazil became a Republic which means that there are no emperors, Kings or Queens. The leaders are voted for, or elected, by the people. Brazil is a republic today.
Brazil has a rich tradition of folktales. Click on the link below for a flavour of some of these folktales. Many od them are influenced by the vast Animal Kingdom in Brazil
Curriculum:
History: Early People and Ancient Societies / Story
Geography: People and Other Lands
History: Early People and Ancient Societies / Story
Geography: People and Other Lands