This paper analyses the role of the foreign direct investment - FDI, in the industrialization process of Brazilian economy between 1860 and 1980. The reference for the division the period was the proposal by Tavares (1975) and Mello (1982): Growth with industrial activity diversification (1860-1933); Restrict industrialization (1933-1955) and 3. Heavy industrialization (1955-1980). The research demonstrate that to comprehend the behavior of the FDI, it's necessary to considerate the domestic and foreign conditions, as the proposal by Possas (1983).
foreign direct investment; industrialization; brazilian economy
