One of the biggest similarities between the two countries is that they were built on slavery and thrived from the slave trade. Similar to America, Brazil was “discovered” by a man named Duarte Pacheco Pereira. Similar to Columbus, he was sent to navigate the waters and land west by the Portuguese King Manuel in 1489. During this time Brazil had at most six million Native Americans. Probably the most influential tribe was the Tupians on the Amazon. If you read a Brazilian textbook it will say that the Europeans and the Native Americans got along (something American textbooks say) until the majority died due to diseases that these foreigners brought over. They also, of course, died to the mistreatment that the Europeans inflicted on them. Brazil however wasn't the only territory under Portuguese rule; so were multiple countries in Africa and Asia.

Another country that was seeking world domination during this time was Spain. They often butted heads when it came to land in South America. The two countries had to get the Pope Alexander VI involved to make the Treaty of Tordesillas. This divided the land in the “New World” unevenly. Originally Portugal got no land in the old treaty But in 1506 a new Pope Julius II redrew the line so that the land Portugal got was a small piece of land which was from the states of Maranhao to Sao Paulo.

Brazil had about 400 years of slavery as one of the first countries to use slaves and the last country to abolish “slavery." Throughout the whole 400 years the city that brought in the most slaves was Rio de Janeiro. Recently, during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, one of the busiest slave sites was rediscovered. The Valongo Wharf operated for 12 years and most likely, if you have roots in Rio, your ancestors came in on this port, naming this site a World Heritage Site. Despite the important history in this port the government still refuses to fund the project that will turn it into a museum. Although the Brazilian Government won’t fund this project there has been donations for it including from America. In December 2018 the site received $500,000 USD from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. This money was used to help preserve the site. The cost of the museum will be about one million USD. The location of the museum will be right next to a port that was built by the first Afro Brazilian engineer.

In the 1800s the Americans ended slavery or started to call for abolition, it inspired Brazilian slaves to do the same. A leader named Joaquim Nabuco started the idea of the Brazilian Anti-Slavery Society. Joaquim also helped overthrow the King of Brazil at the time. He also traveled often between the two countries sharing information and ideas between the two.

These two countries influenced each other throughout the years. As one of our allies Brazil has been really good at providing scientific research. Both countries have similar histories and connections. Maybe we have more in common with countries in the western hemisphere than you think.