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Martim Afonso de Sousa's expedition to Brazil
	; Martim Afonso de Sousa
Date	April 1569–1573
Location	Coast of Brazil, Pernambuco and São Vicente
Result	Portuguese victory
Territorial; changes	Foundation of São Vicente
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Martim Afonso de Sousa Diogo Álvares Correia;	Unknown
Strength
5 well-armed ships; Around 400 settlers and crew	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	3 ships captured

The Portuguese expedition to Brazil (1530–1532) was an expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa with the objectives of combatting French traders, explore inland toward the Rio de la Plata for precious metals, and establish permanent settlements and begin agricultural activities.

Background

Martim Afonso de Sousa began his career in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns. In Spain, where he spent four years, he fought for Emperor Charles V against the French, notably participating in the siege and capture of Fuenterrabía in 1525. His valor in battle earned him public praise from the Emperor, who invited him to stay in Castile. However, in 1530, his cousin António de Ataíde, a trusted advisor to king John III of Portugal, recommended Martim Afonso to lead an expedition to Brazil. Ataíde, an influential figure in the royal council, hoped to distance Martim Afonso from his close friendship with John III.^[1]

By royal mandate, Martim Afonso de Sousa embarked on an expedition aimed at securing Portugal's claims in Brazil against foreign encroachment, especially from French traders. His mission had three primary objectives: expel the French from Brazilian waters, claim territory for the Portuguese crown by placing markers from Maranhão to the Rio de la Plata, and divide the coast into hereditary captaincies to be managed by appointed nobles. He was granted authority to select land for himself and his younger brother, Pero Lopes de Sousa, reflecting the crown's trust and expectations for the venture.^[1]^[2]

Expedition

Martim Afonso de Sousa's journey to Brazil began in January 1531, when his fleet arrived on the Coast of Brazil at Pernambuco. From there, he sent a messenger to Portugal to report their progress to John III of Portugal, and he continued southward. He stopped in Bahia, where he met the famous Caramuru, or Diogo Álvares Correia, who provided valuable insights into the land and its inhabitants. By April 30, 1531, the fleet had reached Guanabara Bay, where Martim Afonso ordered the construction of a fortified house and a small forge to repair his ships.

In August, the expedition resumed its journey, arriving at Cananéia Bay on August 12, where Martim Afonso encountered both Portuguese and Spanish settlers. During the nearly year-long coastal expedition, his fleet endured storms, witnessed the wreck of the flagship, and engaged in combat against French ships involved in brazilwood smuggling, he captured 3 of their ships.^[2]^[3]

Finally, on January 20, 1532, they sighted the island of São Vicente. Poor weather initially prevented the fleet from landing, but on January 22, Martim Afonso and his men came ashore. This date held significance, as it coincided with the feast day of Saint Vincent, to whom Gaspar de Lemos had dedicated the island thirty years earlier. A devout Catholic, Martim Afonso reaffirmed the island's name and established the village of São Vicente. Here, he began building the first official Portuguese settlement, complete with a Câmara (town council), Pelourinho (pillory), prison, and church.^[3]

Aftermath

Following the successful foundation of São Vicente, Martim Afonso de Sousa implemented the recommendations of John III to structure the settlement with political and judicial systems. São Vicente became the first organized Portuguese village in Brazil and was granted the title "Cellula Mater da Nacionalidade" (Mother Cell of the Nation), later earning the distinction as the first city of Brazil. Martim Afonso also supervised the first popular elections in the Americas on August 22, 1532, creating the first town council on the continent, which has since been recognized as the birthplace of American democracy.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Bueno, Eduardo (2006). Capitães do Brasi: a saga dos primeiros colonizadores. Porto Alegre: Objetiva. ISBN 9788556080066.
^ ^a ^b Multimeiros RJ 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Matter 2017.