Brazilian History

In the early 16th century, the Portuguese, led by explorer Pedro Cabral, landed in what is modern brazil. The Portuguese began their exploration in search of goods for European trade and land to improve their economic statuses in Portugal. The majority of the explorers were less interested in territorial dominion and more interested in making a profit back in Europe. However, when sugar reached Brazil, the Portuguese began to import slaves and the land was colonization began in 1534 under Dom Joao III. Rio de Janeiro was captured from the French in 1567 and Sau Luis in 1615. Sugar exports began to decline at the close of the 17th century, which led to Portuguese discovery and lucrative trade of gold in the region called Minas Gerais.

In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte of France invaded the capitol of Portugal, Lisbon. The Portuguese government reestablished the seat of the empire across the Atlantic Ocean in Rio de Janeiro. King Joao VI returned to Lisbon in 1821 and relinquished his rule of Brazil to his son Prince Pedro. The Portuguese government attempted to return Brazil to its colonial state, but Prince Pedro, alongside the Brazilians, opposed this decision. On September 7, 1822, Brazil became an independent country and on October 12, 1822, Prince Pedro became the first emperor of Brazil and his coronation was held on December 1, 1822. The Monarchy was overthrown in 1889, although Pedro II remained the head of state.

The early republic was equivalent to a military dictatorship headed by Pedro II, but the 1930s weakened this long standing regime. Getulio Vargas led a revolution and overthrew President Washingont Luis and established himself as president. In 1937, Brazil transformed into a full dictatorship under Vargas; but he was overthrown in 1945 at the end of World War II and General Eurico Dutra was elected and assumed presidency in 1946. However, this was short-lived and Vargas gained control again in 1951. He was unable to govern properly with an active democracy and committed suicide in 1954.

Since then, Brazil has become and returned from dictatorships. The current and 36th president of Brazil is Dilma Rousseff; she assumed office on January 1, 2011 and is the first woman to hold the title of president in Brazil.

http://www.geographia.com/brazil/brazihistory.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilma_Rousseff