thursday, february 28, 2008

the first portuguese explorer reached the cost of brazil on April 22, 1500. the first portuguese settlement was 1532. gold and diamonds were discovered shortly after the 1700. in 1807-1808 durung the Napoleonic wars, Kind John VI took refuege in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. during this period Rio de Janeiro witnesed a tremendous economic growth. poular pressure forced Dom Pedro, to declare Brazil independent in 1822 making Brazil and empire with a monarchy. Pedro II was the last emperor of Brazil, he was best remembered for overseeing the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1887. Pedro II reigned was marred by a number of internal revolts and conflicts with neighboring countries. Pedro II was overthrown in 1889 and Brazil was established a republic. Getulio Vargas overthrew the government and became president. in 1945 he was outsted by the army but came back to power in 1950. the first republic of brazil has often been reffered to as the " colonels' republic" or the period of " cafe com leite" ( milk and coffee) reffering to the allience between Sao Paulo and Minas Gerias. coffee industry was the main constitutive element of the political, economic, and social process of the first republic. it was also responsible for the rise of Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo and others as the national players in the national game.