Show details of colonial system:
Once properly colonised, Brazil quickly become a source of terrific income and wealth for the Portuguese empire, further cementing their position of dominance in the region. Sugar cane plantations immediately became a prosperous activity in the rich landscape of Brazil and with these plantations came African slaves. The slave's conditions were horrendous and mortality rates amongst the plantations was extremely high. African slave's averaged life expectancy was only 23 years, with indigenous slaves only living on average to 19. This coupled with the low number of indigenous people still alive on the coast made native slavery costly and difficult. This meant that copious amounts of slave trading occurred in Brazil and from 1501 to 1866 over 4.9 million African slaves were brought over. The discovery of gold also drove the Portuguese to take a more assertive, colonial occupation of Brazil and more slaves. These slaves would often spend their whole life working mines without any freedom.
The lack of women slaves brought over meant that a natural progressive population of Africans couldn't form until slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888. The conditions of slaves in the 19th century was broken down into three main categories, the salves of the fields and plantations (referred to as the Negros Do ganho), which by the 19th century had become more relaxed and most slaves worked without strict supervisor or harsh conditions. However they were not as well looked after or humanised by their master, as other classes of slaves. Next the Minas, slaves in positions such as street vendors or transportation, who enjoyed a freer lifestyle. They would sometimes even given their own money. Lastly the house slaves, who was treated, fed and dressed the best and looked after housework. These slaves experienced a higher quality of life but their freedom was severely restricted. In comparison with American African slaves, their were regarded as being treated better. However, it should be noted that these slaves all still had 'masters' and were treated with very poor civil and social liberties. They would work from sun rise to sunset, which could be up to 17 hour days and their obedience was thoroughly to their master. They would be flogged severely  or killed for attempted escape and prisons with torture devices was common, such as a thumb screw. Conditions were appalling enough for mothers to routinely kill their own babies to save them from a short life of pain and suffering.
The mindset of superiority of the European migrants also played into the slaves understanding of Brazil, with no education or leisure time given to the slaves and they were often labelled as inferior humans. This mentality kept slave population in control and prevent socialisation and formation of groups that could cause uprising/revolt.

Resistance
Resistance amongst slaves was usually common in Brazil. This could be due to the combination of more relaxed pressure on the slaves and the wild expanse of Brazil. Many Portuguese regions bordered forest and wild jungle, meaning escapes from and attacks on plantations and towns were possible. Once such famous uprising occurred in the northeastern region of Brazil in which groups of slaves revolted against their masters and escaped. They could not live alone though and proposed an agreement of mutual beneficiary in which they would return as slaves under certain condition such as freedom of leisure, days off and decision making in their masters. This is a classic example of the powerful and dominant structure of colonialism that the Portuguese had implemented. The slaves quite literally couldn't live without their master.
Another example of mass slave resistance was the escape and set up of over 30,000 slaves, led by Zumbi dos Palmares. The group lived in region the size of Portugal and would have battle with the Portuguese over their freedom. They used the martial art of capoeira to push back the colonists and held out for over 60 years. However, in 1694 the Portuguese gathered a large number of troops and wiped out the settlements and eventually captured and beheaded Zumbi dos Palmares. His head was then displayed in a central town square to further exemplify the power and control of the Portuguese.

Independence
Independence from the Portuguese empire was achieved in 1822, led by the son of the king of Portugal,  Dom Pedro I. However soon after he fled back to Portugal and his son, Dom Pedro II, reigned until the Brazilian Republic was formed. However, all of this was managed and executed by Europeans and their descendants and indigenous and slaves had very little input. This meant that "The racial hierarchies put in place by slavery stood strong after abolition" and the colonialist mindset and structures that achieved the poverty and racism amongst non-European descendants was very much still thriving. This led to policies such as the racial whitening act in which the Brazilian republic feared African demographics would hinder Brazil's development. To curb this they suppressed African culture and almost doubled the white population from 34 percent in 1870 to 64 percent in 1940.
However, in recent decades, affirmative action and policy has been geared towards indigenous populations and minorities such as Africans which has closed the gap significantly. There is still along way to go but the more peaceful transition has, in the long run, appeared to have avoided major civil war and violence.