Reading Questions
Objective #1 : Explain how the Portuguese expanded, consolidated power and maintained their empire.
Objective #2: Identify and explain the effects of the development of state power from 1450-1750
Objective #2: Identify and explain the effects of the development of state power from 1450-1750
- What were the economic causes of Portuguese maritime exploration?
- Explain the role of the state in Portuguese maritime exploration.
- What were some of the economic outcomes of Portuguese maritime exploration (positive and negative).
- Explain how the Portuguese trading posts worked.
- How did the Portuguese affect existing Indian Ocean trade? be specific
- Why were the Portuguese able to colonize Brazil? How did Portuguese colonization affect Brazil?
- What were the causes and consequences of Queen Nzinga's Rebellion against the Portuguese?
The Portuguese Empire
Portuguese exploration along the coasts of Africa had one purpose - to sail around the continent to the spice markets of the east. But in the process, they develop a trading interest and a lasting presence in Africa itself Prince Henry and his Navigation School.
Prince Henry and the Navigation School
The Portuguese nation is a small country on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is unable to expand eastward due to the presence of Spain. In 1415, Prince Henry conquered Ceuta in North Africa figuring this is the only option to expand. Then he sponsored research and a navigation school (maybe) to collect information about and send expeditions to the African lands south of North Africa. At navigation school, the staff studied and improved the compass and the astrolabe, and designed the caravel. Portuguese explorers learned to pick up prevailing western winds that would blow them back to Portugal. With that knowledge Prince Henry continued to fund exploration along the African coast in hopes of reaping great wealth. |
Coast of Africa- Slaves and gold
Prior to the Reconquista, slavic people were the largest group of slaves in the Iberian Peninsula. As the Portuguese traveled down the coast of Africa, they began kidnapping people. Soon they began to make treaties with local kings to capture and buy slaves to avoid any conflicts. They were able to take advantage of was the slave trade resulting in a Portuguese monopoly on African Slave trade as well as settlements in both Guinea and Angola. On the east coast, they are drawn to Mozambique and the Zambezi river by news of a local ruler, the Munhumutapa, who has fabulous wealth in gold. |
Europeans in the Indian Ocean and trading posts
Vasco da Gama rounded the tip of Africa in 1498 and established contact with India. That year he reached the city of Calicut, one of the richest cities on Earth at the time. As the Portuguese led by famed explorer Alfonso de Albuquerque explored the coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean conquering many established empires then establishing trading posts. The Portuguese would first build forts to fortify a port. From the safety of the fortified trading posts, the Portuguese conducted business. Because they did not have a large enough navy or army the Portuguese could not control large portions of land. They were, however, able to control maritime trade routes. They forced vessels to pay cartaz (taxes) as well as required merchants to use Portuguese ships to carry goods. To enforce their rule along the coast, the Portuguese used cannons and gunpowder weapons. They had a large well-armed Navy that they used to attack ships that did not pay the taxes. They were also able to attack cities to gain control over the spice trade. Soon the Portuguese were trading as far east as Japan.
Although European trade in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas was significant, the Portuguese presence was far less significant compared to their impact in the Americas or Africa. To the great powers of Asia—Mughal India, China, Japan, and the Ottomans—The Portuguese and all other Europeans represented no real military threat and played minor roles in their large and prosperous economics. Muslim, Indian, African, Chinese, and Malaysian merchants benefitted from the upsurge in maritime trade. Mughal India and China were the largest manufacturers of luxury and bulk goods, making them the wealthiest empires of this time period. Merchants from the Ottoman Empire were active in the Southeast Asian spice islands. Overall, trade in the Indian Ocean increased due to both European and Asian empires.
Vasco da Gama rounded the tip of Africa in 1498 and established contact with India. That year he reached the city of Calicut, one of the richest cities on Earth at the time. As the Portuguese led by famed explorer Alfonso de Albuquerque explored the coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean conquering many established empires then establishing trading posts. The Portuguese would first build forts to fortify a port. From the safety of the fortified trading posts, the Portuguese conducted business. Because they did not have a large enough navy or army the Portuguese could not control large portions of land. They were, however, able to control maritime trade routes. They forced vessels to pay cartaz (taxes) as well as required merchants to use Portuguese ships to carry goods. To enforce their rule along the coast, the Portuguese used cannons and gunpowder weapons. They had a large well-armed Navy that they used to attack ships that did not pay the taxes. They were also able to attack cities to gain control over the spice trade. Soon the Portuguese were trading as far east as Japan.
Although European trade in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas was significant, the Portuguese presence was far less significant compared to their impact in the Americas or Africa. To the great powers of Asia—Mughal India, China, Japan, and the Ottomans—The Portuguese and all other Europeans represented no real military threat and played minor roles in their large and prosperous economics. Muslim, Indian, African, Chinese, and Malaysian merchants benefitted from the upsurge in maritime trade. Mughal India and China were the largest manufacturers of luxury and bulk goods, making them the wealthiest empires of this time period. Merchants from the Ottoman Empire were active in the Southeast Asian spice islands. Overall, trade in the Indian Ocean increased due to both European and Asian empires.
Portugal and Brazil
In 1594 the Pope, trying to avoid a war between Portugal and Spain, negotiated the Treaty of Tordesillas giving the Portuguese all the lands to the East and the Spanish all the land to the west. The Treaty gave Portugal what would become Brazil. At first, the Portuguese only had trading posts that traded in wood. By 1600, Brazil’s main cash crop would become sugar. Because of these sugar plantations, slaves began to be imported to Brazil. The growth of the plantation economy lead to demographic and social changes in Brazil. Those you will read about in another section. |