For this end , they encouraged European immigration , to increase the number of white people .
The elite envisioned a country of white peoples , but the slaves , mulattoes , and mestizos composed almost the two - thirds of the Brazilian population .
For this end , slaves encouraged European immigration , to increase the number of white people .
The elite envisioned a country of white peoples , but the slaves , mulattoes , and mestizos composed almost the two - thirds of the Brazilian population .