Learn about the periods of Colonial Brazilian History

The study of the periods of Colonial Brazilian History mentioned below is of paramount importance, as it was from this time that the foundations of Brazilian history were laid.

The History of Colonial Brazil was divided into the following periods:

The Portuguese maritime expansion and conquest of Brazil, the stages of this expansion, as well as its importance in the context of European society.
The “discovery” of Brazil, which we will refer to here as the conquest, because at the time of the “discovery”, the territory was already inhabited by indigenous peoples.
the process of setting up the Colony, which led to the foundation of the General Government, as well as the intensification of sugar cane cultivation, the manufacture of sugar in the mills and its commercialisation in Europe, and the intensification of the slave trade.
The Dutch invasions of north-eastern Brazil, the founding of São Paulo and the bandeirante expansion that took place from the 17th century onwards.
The process of emancipation in Portuguese America. We’ll look at the main revolutionary movements of the 18th century in the colony, which were influenced both by the Enlightenment ideals of the Old World and by certain internal social and political factors. In addition, we will study the move of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil in 1808 and the consequences of this event for the future of Brazil.

Discover the periods of colonial Brazilian history below:

1. Portuguese Maritime Expansion and the Conquest of Brazil

The Causes of Portuguese Maritime Expansion
Portuguese maritime and commercial expansion was no accident
Why did Portugal lead the maritime expansion?
The main elements of Portuguese maritime and commercial expansion
The main stages of Portuguese expansion
The School of Sagres and Prince Henry

2. Occupation of the African Coast, the Atlantic Islands and the Voyage of Vasco da Gama

The Occupation of the African Coast and the Atlantic Islands
Discovery of the sea route to India – The Voyage of Vasco da Gama

3. Pedro Álvares Cabral’s expedition and the Conquest of Brazil

Expedition of Pedro Álvares Cabral
Conquest of Brazil
Arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil

4 . Pre-colonial period in Brazil: “The Forgotten Years”

Portugal’s lack of interest in colonising Brazil
First expeditions to Brazil
Shippers, Traffickers and Convicts
Were the Indians of Brazil Cannibals or Good Savages?

5. Installation of the Portuguese Colony in Brazil

Expedition of Martim Afonso de Souza
Hereditary Captaincies

6. Installation of the General Government in Brazil and the Founding of Salvador

General Government of Brazil
Foundation of Salvador

7. Monoculture, Slave Labour and Latifundia in Colonial Brazil

The Portuguese Civilising Project in Brazil
Slave Trade and Slave Labour
Structure of the colonial economy

8. Colonial sugar mills in Brazil

Sugar Mill
Social and Cultural Importance of the Colonial Sugar Mill

9. The Iberian Union and the Dutch Invasion of Brazil

Iberian Union or Spanish Rule
Dutch invasions of Brazil
First Dutch invasion: Salvador
Second Dutch invasion: Pernambuco
Historical events related to the Iberian Union and the Dutch invasions of Brazil