Portugal

Definition

Portugal is a European country located on the Iberian Peninsula, known for its significant role in the Age of Exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries. As one of the earliest maritime powers, Portugal's explorers, such as Prince Henry the Navigator, were pivotal in developing new trade routes and discovering new lands, setting the stage for European exploration in the Americas and beyond.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Portugal established a global maritime empire, with colonies in Brazil, Africa, and Asia, significantly impacting global trade patterns.
2. The Portuguese were among the first to explore the coasts of Africa and set up trading posts along the way, leading to increased trade in gold, spices, and slaves.
3. Prince Henry the Navigator was a key figure in promoting exploration, sponsoring numerous expeditions along the African coast.
4. The introduction of new navigation technologies by Portuguese explorers helped to improve long-distance sea travel and navigation techniques.
5. Portugal's early successes in exploration laid the groundwork for later Spanish conquests in the Americas, as well as competition among other European powers.

Review Questions

• How did Portugal's advancements in navigation contribute to its dominance in exploration during the Age of Discovery?
  • Portugal's advancements in navigation were crucial for its dominance during the Age of Discovery. Innovations such as the caravel allowed Portuguese explorers to sail further and more efficiently than ever before. Additionally, improvements in cartography and navigation techniques enabled sailors to accurately chart their courses across open oceans. This mastery of navigation not only facilitated their exploration of Africa and Asia but also positioned Portugal as a leader in establishing trade routes that shaped global commerce.
• Evaluate the impact of the Treaty of Tordesillas on Portuguese exploration and territorial claims in the Americas.
  • The Treaty of Tordesillas had a significant impact on Portuguese exploration and territorial claims. By dividing newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, it formalized their respective spheres of influence. As a result, Portugal focused its efforts on Brazil after discovering it in 1500. This treaty allowed Portugal to secure its interests in South America while also concentrating on expanding trade routes to Asia. The delineation provided by the treaty influenced colonial policies and diplomatic relations between European powers for centuries.
• Analyze how Portugal's role during the Age of Exploration set a precedent for later European colonial empires and their impacts on global history.
  • Portugal's pioneering role during the Age of Exploration established crucial precedents for later European colonial empires. By successfully navigating and claiming territories across Africa, Asia, and South America, Portugal demonstrated that vast overseas empires were feasible. Their methods of trade, colonization, and cultural exchanges laid the groundwork for subsequent powers like Spain, France, and England to follow suit. The consequences of these explorations fundamentally reshaped global history by facilitating cultural exchanges, economic shifts towards mercantilism, and initiating an era of imperial competition that would dominate international relations for centuries.

Related terms

Age of Discovery:

A period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century when European powers explored and colonized various parts of the world, significantly expanding their empires.

Treaty of Tordesillas:

A 1494 agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian line.

Caravel:

A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese that played a crucial role in exploration during the Age of Discovery.