Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese between the 12^th and 14^th centuries.  It was during a crisis period and happened while important changes were going on in Europe, like feudalism being replaced by a new kind of social organization.

The feudal society was disorganized when the One Year Old War, between France and England, and the Black Death, that was reaching throughout the continent.  The hungry stimulates rural rebellions out of control of the nobility. On the city center, the change is speeded up. The business booms, and creates the beginning of a new social class: the mercantile bourgeois.  It financed the great navigations from the 15^th and 16^th centuries, which resulted in the discovering of America and Brazil, on the conquest and migration of Africa and Asia.

Pedro Alvares Cabral, the Protuguese navigator, arrived at the coast of what is now Brazil in April 1500 and claimed the land in the name of Portugal.  Before hitting land, he claimed the area of Monte Pascoal, later the land was called Terra de Vera Cruz meaning Land of the True Cross.  Shortly after, another expedition that was led by Gaspar de Lemos in 1501, they were sent to Terra de Vera Cruz by the Portuguese government.  Americo Vespucio also participated in this expedition.  While on the exploration they baptized many capes and bays, as well as a bay that was denominated Rio de Janeiro.  The name Terra de Vera Cruz was later changed to Santa Cruz meaning Holy Cross, then at last to Brazil meaning brazil wood, tree abundant on the region.  The Discovery Day of Brazil is remembered on April 22^nd.

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