🪵 1501–1532 | The Portuguese in Brazil | Part II What you’re seeing: A coast Portugal claimed but did not yet fully control. Portuguese and French merchants came for brazilwood, while trade, captivity and settlement began changing life along the coast. Why is Brazil named after a tree? Brazilwood produced a prized red dye. Tupi men cut and carried the logs to ships in exchange for goods including iron axes, knives, shirts and hats. Why were the French there? France never signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided newly found lands between Spain and Portugal. Merchants from Normandy and Brittany were already trading for brazilwood by 1505. Who were the people taken on the Bretoa? Its 1511 register lists 35 enslaved people, including men, women and young people. One girl is named Brígida. Their value was taxed for the king. Was there really a battle? Yes. Off Pernambuco in February 1531, a French ship fought the Portuguese through the night and following day before surrenderin...