Rio de Janeiro history was marked by great progression after the finding of gold in Minas Gerais 1693. The gold route went through the port of Rio de Janeiro and made Portugal one of the richest countries in Europe.

The goldstream made Rio even more attractive to the rivalling countries france and the dutch, and the city is attacked and defeated by the French admiral Duguay – Trouin with approximately 6000 men in 1711. To redeem it Portugal pays a huge ransome.

By 1763 the population of Rio de Janeiro exceeds 50,000 and is declared the capitol of Brazil.

Napoleon of France also has an important part in the development of Brazil. As he took on war in Europe, the seat of all Portuguese regency court fled to Brazil in 1808. 15,000 of the aristocracy, led by the regent Dom Joao VI, moved to Rio de Janeiro and resulted in a massive expansion of Rio de Janeiro’s streets, schools, banks, newspapers and so on.

Dom Joao made an important decision which made the economy boom; he opened the harbours to free trade with everyone, which had earlier been restricted to Portugal. The beginning of independence for Brazil.

In 1821 Dom Joao returns to Portugal to fight an uprising revolution, but leaves his son Dom Pedro behind to govern the colony. Rio de Janeiro population has grown rapidly and now exceeds over 100,000 residents.

Influenced by brazilian nationalists, Dom Pedro declares independence one year later, in 1822. Dom Joao, unable to fight his own son, accepts Brazil independence and Dom Pedro is named Emperor Pedro I.

By 1826 Dom Pedro’s father dies in Lisbon making Dom Pedro the natural overtaker of Portugal. Dom Pedro abdicates as emperor and his son aged 15, assumes the throne; Emperor Betrau II

Rio de Janeiro continues to grow. In 1854 streets of Rio are lit by gas lamps and in 1874 the city is connected to London with a telegraph cable. Slavery which has influenced so many of Brazilian culture and tradition like Brazil’s national dish, feijoada and the ever so famous carnival with rhythms, feathers and dance is abolished in 1888.

In 1889 rich landowners take over control of the political power in Brazil by demanding a republic. The emperor abdicates to prevent a revolution and a bloodbath. The landowners divide the revenues between themselves. The differences between poor and rich increase. Presidents of Brazil are controlled by the landlords, and new presidents come and go.

Passing into the 1900 century, tunnels are built to connect the south zone of Rio with the centre of the city. The world opens it’s eyes for Brazil and Rio de Janeiro in 1920, with the opening of the great Copacabana Palace. Brazil and Rio is considered exotic and several films brings samba to Europe and the states. ( More of Copacabana history here )

By 1930 however, Getulio Vargas assumes control of Brazil through a military coup and the will of the people was supposed to be the country’s primary aim once again. Vargas role model is “the new state” based on Italian Facism. Vargas stays president of Brazil until 1954 when he is accused of corruption and possible political murder. He ends up committing suicide.

In 1960 the capitol is moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia to spread power to the inner parts of the huge country.

In 1996 Rio’s bid for the 2004 olympic games fails.

Rio prepares for the Pan American cup in 2007

From Rio de Janeiro Independence back to Rio-de-janeiro.info