The Portuguese Empire spanned from 1415 to 1999 and was the first global empire, established through extensive exploration led by Prince Henry the Navigator. Portugal explored Africa, India, Asia, and South America, establishing forts and colonies. While Spain colonized much of the Americas, Portugal focused on establishing a vast overseas empire, amassing great wealth through trade and alliances until losing most holdings to other European powers by the 19th century, except for Brazil, which became the heart of their empire through land grants and cultivation of brazilwood, sugar, gold, and diamonds.

1. The Portuguese EmpireBetween 1400 & 1800 By Tiffany Jacobs HIST 140 (#50607)

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 CapitaniasHereditarias system First governor was selected Colonial Brazil