On the other hand there are those who argue that the invasion of Brazil had positive outcomes, even precipitating nation building. This ambiguity of responses and views will be explored through the historical data and sources. .

             The reasons for the invasion of Brazil are complex and inextricably tied to the political, maritime and economic situation in the Seventeenth Century. The European colonization of Brazil begins with the Pedro Alvares Cabral, a Portuguese navigator, who is credited as the first European to reach Brazil, on April 22, 1500. He was allegedly attempting to discover a new route to southern Asia. The Portuguese subsequently settled and colonized the country with a colonial and administrative model based on the feudal system. The major export for Brazil was "brazil wood". Sugar also became a major export for Brazil in the 17th century. This relates to an increasing demand for sugar in Europe. .

             The potential of Brazil in terms of resources and trade also attracted other European powers. In defiance of the Papal Treaty of Tordesillas, which had divided the New World between Portugal and Spain, France proceeded to invade Brazil for a share of the lucrative dyewood trade. In 1504 the French captain Gonneville of Honfleur traded goods with natives on the coast. The French refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Treaty of Tordesillas and considered Brazil as an open area for trade and exploration. 2 .

             This was to lead to incursions by European countries, such as Holland. The French created a settlement near Rio de Janeiro in 1555. This was to last from 1555 to 1567 - and was known as the France Antarctique episode; but they were later expelled by the Portuguese. 3 Likewise the Dutch colonized parts of Brazil from 1630 to 1654 when they invaded Pernambuco. They established their colonial capital in Recite , which came known the Nieuw Holland episode.4 .

             During the period between 1638 and 1649 the Dutch were to control nearly half of the country.