In the 16th century, the Portuguese and Spaniards reaffirmed their power by creating new sea routes and establishing the colonization of the American continent. Over time, this supremacy came to be questioned by other European nations that also wanted to profit from the colonization process. After all, what authority could say that only Portugal and Spain could carry out this type of action?
It was with this type of questioning that the French tried to establish themselves in Brazil, even though the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive here. Between 1500 and 1530, French vessels arrived on the Brazilian coast, came into contact with local indigenous populations and promoted the extraction of pau-brasil. Shortly thereafter, these expeditions moved towards an ambitious project of establishment in Brazil.
The first attempt to enter Brazilian territory took place in 1555, near the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Founding there the so-called Antarctic France, the French colonizers had the support of native populations to be able to settle in the territory. Not only economically motivated, this invasion was organized by French Protestants. Led by Admiral Coligny, this group wanted to settle in Brazil to escape Catholic-led religious persecution in France.
After a series of conflicts, the administration of Governor General Mem de Sá managed to remove them from there in 1567. To do so, it was necessary for the Portuguese to negotiate with the indigenous leaders who supported the French presence in Brazil. Jesuit priests Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta were of great help in managing to revert indigenous military support to the Portuguese side of this dispute.
Even with the victory of the Portuguese, there were several occasions when ships from France arrived here interested in our riches. This fact shows us that the Portuguese did not have absolute control of Brazilian territory and, not infrequently, suffered from threats from other foreign nations. Decades later, at the beginning of the 18th century, France tried to carry out new attempts to invade Rio de Janeiro.
Even being usually defeated, France still sought to carry out other invasion actions by the Brazilian territory. In 1612, they reached the northeast region and founded the São Luís fort. According to records, the French wanted to create a colony there called Equinoctial France. This fort ended up becoming one of the most important colonial landmarks in the city of São Luís, which is now the capital of the state of Maranhão.
Not to say that all attempts at French occupation were unsuccessful, we can here to point out that France ended up settling in a region of the American continent not explored by the Portuguese. Heading further north, French colonial action ended up founding French Guiana. However, between 1809 and 1817, the government of Portugal even invaded Guyana at a time when relations between Portugal and France were shaken.
By Rainer Gonçalves Sousa
Kids School Collaborator
Graduated in History from the Federal University of Goiás - UFG
Master in History from the Federal University of Goiás - UFG
