after independence from portugal (1822) the brazilian government started to stimulate the arrival of a new wave of immigrants to settle the south. in 1824 they established são leopoldo, a german community. major schaeffer, a german who was living in brazil, was sent to germany in order to bring immigrants. from rhineland-palatinate, the major brought the immigrants and soldiers. settlers from germany were brought to work as small farmers, because there were many land holdings without workers.