With the discovery of goldmines in Brazil by the West, Brazil saw an increase in the presence of European governments. This period is commonly known as the “Brazilian Gold Rush”. Close to a million Portuguese and African slaves were “posted” to Brazil to mine gold by their colonial masters. With most of the gold returning to the west, there was a general rise in wealth for westerners which was followed by inflation. This growth of a new middleclass came with the need for full land ownership and less control from the Feudal system.