The History of the Portuguese Empire

Introduction

• The global network of shipping lanes connects the world through trade.
• Many routes are ancient, but key routes like the Suez and Panama canals were established more recently.
• In the 16th century, international trade routes did not exist until Portugal emerged as a maritime superpower.
• Portugal's navigational skills and daring voyages laid the groundwork for the modern global economy.

Origins of the Portuguese Empire

• Reconquista: Gradual reconquest of Christian lands in the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors.
• Establishment of Portugal: Became a sovereign kingdom by the mid-12th century, pushed Moors out by 1249.
• Expansion: With limited options for land expansion, Portugal turned to maritime exploration.

Key Events and Figures

• Capture of Ceuta (1415): Marked the start of overseas expansion; Portugal couldn't advance further due to local resistance.
• Prince Henry the Navigator: Pioneered maritime exploration along the African coast.
• Discovery of Madeira and Azores: In 1419 and 1427 respectively, extending Portuguese influence.
• Cape Bojador (1434): Overcoming natural barriers opened further exploration.

Expansion into Africa and Asia

• Exploration: Reached Cape Verde Islands (1456) and Gulf of Guinea (1460s).
• Trade: Engaged in profitable gold and slave trades.
• Bartolomeu Dias (1488): Rounded the southern tip of Africa, finding a sea route to Asia.
• Vasco da Gama (1497-1499): Reached India, establishing trade, though initial expeditions were not profitable.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• Divided the world into Portuguese and Spanish spheres of influence.

Expansion in Asia

• Alfonso de Albuquerque: Built trading posts in India, Indonesia, and other Asian regions.
• Military Conflicts: Engaged in conflicts with local Asian empires to secure trade.
• Religious Influence: Jesuit missionaries spread Catholicism, sometimes forcibly.

Brazil and the Americas

• Discovery of Brazil (1500): By Pedro Alvarez Cabral.
• Colonization Efforts: Focused on sugarcane cultivation using enslaved labor.

Decline of the Portuguese Empire

• Union with Spain (1580): Weakened Portugal; faced Dutch and English competition.
• Dutch-Portuguese War (1598-1663): Resulted in territorial losses.
• Restoration and Further Conflicts: Efforts to regain power were largely unsuccessful.

19th and 20th Century Developments

• Brazilian Independence (1822): Led by Dom Pedro I.
• Focus on Africa: Last major colonies were in Africa.
• Pink Map and British Ultimatum (1890): Ended colonial expansion in Africa.

20th Century: Collapse of the Empire

• First World War and Estado Novo: Portugal retained its colonies but faced growing pressure.
• Decolonization: Forced to relinquish African colonies post-1974 Carnation Revolution.
• End of Empire: Macau's handover to China in 1999 marked the empire's end.

Legacy

• Portuguese language spoken by 250 million people globally.
• Historical trade routes continue to influence global trade today.