By Tiffany Jacobs

HIST 140 (#50607)

Portugal was a major world power during 15th &

16th centuries

In early 1400’s, the exploration of Africa began

July 25, 1415 was the beginning of the Portuguese Empire

August 21, 1415 North African city of Cueta was captured

Madeira Island inhabited by Portuguese in 1420 Azorean Islands were colonized in 1445

Ships reached Gold Coast of Africa in 1470’s

History of Portugal

Major exploratory achievements

1487, navigated the Cape of Good Hope

Late 1400’s, reached India by sea and bypassed Islamic occupied land routes through Constantinople

1500, navigated the Atlantic and reached Brazil

1501, discovered Madagascar

1514, sailed to China and Japan

Portugal persecuted Jews at end of 15th Century

They were told to convert to Catholicism or leave

History of Portugal

First global empire, and survived almost 600 years

Lasted from 1415 – 1999

The empire at its largest was spread throughout 49 modern nations/states

Portuguese sailors were voracious in their explorations

Prince Henry the Navigator was a critical spokesman in raising funds for explorations

The Portuguese Empire

The Portuguese Empire amassed great wealth

through the spice trade, the establishment of forts and factories along sea routes, along with advantageous alliances

While Spain discovered the New World, Portugal was exploring Africa, India, Asia and the South Pacific

Portuguese Empire lost significant holdings to the Dutch in India and Southeast Asia Ultimately lost all their holdings except Brazil

The Portuguese Empire

Brazil was colonized through land grants Primary interests/cash crops in Brazil were: brazil

wood, sugar, gold, and diamonds

Treaty of Tordesillas divided south America into 2 parts Portugal was entitled to the eastern part

The Portuguese fought the French Patrols protected the Brazilian coasts

French were there for the brazil wood

First villages were established to patrol the coast

Colonial Brazil

15 noblemen from Portugal were granted land Captaincies of Brazil established These men were charged with building settlements and

managing their growth Kept costs down for Portugal by placing expenses on

private citizens “Captains” were financially & legally responsible for the

settlement and the people Only 2 were successful and prospered

1548, General Government was established This was due to the failure of the Capitanias Hereditarias

system First governor was selected

Colonial Brazil