During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many Latin American countries went through a time of enlightenment which lead them to independence. One of these movements was the Brazilian independence movement. The Brazilian independence movement was one of the most peacefully-accomplished revolutions in Latin America. In this essay, the underlying and the direct causes to Brazil's movement, the outcome of the movement, the successes and failures of the movement, and a recapitulation of the history of Brazil will be discussed.<Tab/><Tab/>
Brazil was discovered by Pedro Alvarez Cabral in the name of Portugal on April 22, 1500. During the 1530's colonists from Portugal began to settle in Brazil and started establishing large sugar cane plantations. "Brazilian sugar, sold in Europe, brought wealth to Portugal."(Galloway) Large settlements like Recife, Salvador, and Sao Vicente were created and the Portuguese prospered. In time, two classes had developed. The first class was the reinois, those born in Portugal, and the second, the mazombos, the native-born Brazilians (although still pure Portuguese peoples). …
