Early Colonization in Brazil

When the Portuguese first began to settle Brazil, the king divided the country up into fifteen different districts, all of which were then put under the control of some one with power in the Portuguese government. Then, in 1549, the Brazilian government was reformed to be more centralized. With this government, more African slaves were brought in and more cities sprouted up. In 1555, the French tried to set up a colony,and the Portuguese took this over and it became the city of Rio de Janeiro. All of this was great for the Portuguese and not so good for the Native Americans. Although many Native Americans were not immediately affected by the colonization of Brazil, as the Portuguese pushed for more space, Native Americans were pushed farther and farhter back.