The Portuguese EmpireThe Portuguese Empire

Andrew ElseyAndrew Elsey

HIST140HIST140

Summer 2011Summer 2011

History of Portugal History of Portugal Portugal's name derives from the Roman name Portus Cale. Cale was the name of an early settlement Portugal's name derives from the Roman name Portus Cale. Cale was the name of an early settlement

located at the mouth of the Douro River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean in the north of what is now located at the mouth of the Douro River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean in the north of what is now Portugal.Portugal.

In 1095, Portugal almost completely separated from the Kingdom of Galicia. Its territories consisted In 1095, Portugal almost completely separated from the Kingdom of Galicia. Its territories consisted primarily of mountain, moorland and forests were bounded on the north by the Minho, on the south by the primarily of mountain, moorland and forests were bounded on the north by the Minho, on the south by the Mondego River.Mondego River.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a leading European power, ranking with England, France During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a leading European power, ranking with England, France and Spain in terms of economic, political, and cultural influence. and Spain in terms of economic, political, and cultural influence.

In 1484, Portugal officially rejected Christopher Columbus's idea of reaching India from the west, because In 1484, Portugal officially rejected Christopher Columbus's idea of reaching India from the west, because it was seen as unreasonable. Some historians have claimed that the Portuguese had already performed it was seen as unreasonable. Some historians have claimed that the Portuguese had already performed fairly accurate calculations concerning the size of the world and therefore knew that sailing west to reach fairly accurate calculations concerning the size of the world and therefore knew that sailing west to reach the Indies would require a far longer journey than navigating to the east.the Indies would require a far longer journey than navigating to the east.

The Portuguese were the first civilization to fully start the process we know today as globalization.The Portuguese were the first civilization to fully start the process we know today as globalization.

FlagModern Portugal

History of Portugal History of Portugal In the 17In the 17thth and 18 and 18thth centuries Portugal gradually lost much of its centuries Portugal gradually lost much of its

wealth and status as the Dutch, English and French took an wealth and status as the Dutch, English and French took an increasing share of Portugal’s economic foundations, the spice increasing share of Portugal’s economic foundations, the spice and slave trades. They did this by surrounding or conquering the and slave trades. They did this by surrounding or conquering the widely-scattered Portuguese trading posts and territories, leaving widely-scattered Portuguese trading posts and territories, leaving it with ever fewer resources to defend its overseas interests.it with ever fewer resources to defend its overseas interests.

Signs of military decline began with two disastrous battles: the Signs of military decline began with two disastrous battles: the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in Morocco in 1578 and Spain's abortive Battle of Alcácer Quibir in Morocco in 1578 and Spain's abortive attempt to conquer England in 1588, Portugal was further attempt to conquer England in 1588, Portugal was further weakened by the destruction of much of its capital city in a 1755 weakened by the destruction of much of its capital city in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the loss earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars and the loss of its largest colony, Brazil, in 1822.of its largest colony, Brazil, in 1822.

During the mid 19During the mid 19thth century, nearly two-million Portuguese left century, nearly two-million Portuguese left Europe to live in Brazil and the United States.Europe to live in Brazil and the United States.

By the end of the 11th century, the Burgundian knight Henry By the end of the 11th century, the Burgundian knight Henry became count of Portugal and defended his independence, became count of Portugal and defended his independence, merging the County of Portucale and the County of Coimbra. merging the County of Portucale and the County of Coimbra. Henry declared independence for PortugalHenry declared independence for Portugal

Portugal’s Location

The Portuguese Empire The Portuguese Empire The Portuguese Empire is also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese The Portuguese Empire is also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese

Colonial Empire, and was the first global empire in history.Colonial Empire, and was the first global empire in history.

It was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning almost six It was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning almost six centuries, from 1415 to 1999. The empire spread throughout a large number of territories centuries, from 1415 to 1999. The empire spread throughout a large number of territories that are now part of 49 different sovereign states.that are now part of 49 different sovereign states.

Using recent developments in navigation, cartography and maritime technology, Portuguese Using recent developments in navigation, cartography and maritime technology, Portuguese sailors began exploring the coast of Africa in 1419, hoping that they might find a sea route to sailors began exploring the coast of Africa in 1419, hoping that they might find a sea route to the source of the lucrative spice trade.the source of the lucrative spice trade.

Between 1580 and 1640 Portugal became the partner to Spain but the empires continued to Between 1580 and 1640 Portugal became the partner to Spain but the empires continued to be ran separately, Portuguese colonies became the location of attacks by three rival be ran separately, Portuguese colonies became the location of attacks by three rival European powers hostile to Spain; the Netherlands, Britain and France. Portugal was small European powers hostile to Spain; the Netherlands, Britain and France. Portugal was small and unable to effectively defend its overstretched network of trading posts, and the empire and unable to effectively defend its overstretched network of trading posts, and the empire began a long and gradual decline.began a long and gradual decline.

The Portuguese Empire and overseas interests.