The Portuguese Empire began in 1415 with the conquering of Ceuta in North Africa under Prince Henry the Navigator. Key figures included Pedro Álvares Cabral, who discovered and claimed Brazil for Portugal, and Vasco de Gama, the first to sail directly from Europe to India. By the late 15th century, Portugal had established colonies and forts throughout Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, becoming the first global empire and pioneering globalization through its extensive colonial trading network. However, its power declined in the late 16th century after the crowns of Spain and Portugal were united under King Philip II of Spain, bringing new colonial rivals like the Dutch and English.

1. The Portuguese Empire History 140By: Cara Treneer

2. People of ImportancePrince Henry the navigator behind Portugal’s maritime exploration.

3. Pedro Álvares Cabral the explorer who found and claimed Brazil for Portugal.People of ImportanceVasco de Gama was the first of Portuguese explores to sail directly from Europe to India.Period of Discoveries 1484 Columbus's idea of reaching India from the west was crushed because Portuguese historians claimed to have fairly accurate calculations of the world’s size and Columbus’s idea would take too long.

4. 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas Spain got all lands to the west of Cape Verde islands, and Portugal for all land to the east.

5. 1500 Portugal claimed Brazil

6. Fall of Constantinople cut of trade from the east to Portugal

7. Portugal was the leading European Power in the 15th and 16th century with its extensive colonial trading empire.

8. 1415 was the beginning of the Portuguese Empire. With the conquering of the North African city Ceuta. It was rich with trade here.

9. 1418-1448 the Portuguese empire expanded with Madeira islands, Azorean islands, the Canary islands, and the Agrium island where a castle was built and used for trade.Period of Discoveries Continued1510 Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa on the west coast of India=Portuguese to be the 1st civilization to start the process of globalization.

10. 1514 Portuguese reached and established a base on the Spice islands

11. End of the 15th century Portugal expelled local Jews and forced many to convert to Catholicism. Some secretly remained Jewish in danger of persecution by the Portuguese Inquisition. Portugal’s claim to FameKnown as the first global empire

12. Longest-lived of the modern European Colonial empires for almost 6 centuries from the capture of Ceuta in 1445 to the handover of Macau in 1999.

13. First civilization to start globalization.

14. Found the Spice Islands. Spain and Portugal UniteIn 1578 the young King of Portugal died in a battle and did not leave behind an heir.

15. As a result Philip of Spain became Philip I of Portugal in 1580

16. This put Spain and Portugal under one rule.

17. The joining of the crown brought new enemies like their long time ally England.

18. This brought decline to the Portuguese empire with the Dutch and English both fight for their colonies. Colonial BrazilWas Portuguese territory

19. Has over 300 years of history as a colony.

20. Economically the area was explored for brazilwood, sugarcane, and later diamonds and gold.

21. Slaves were brought from Africa for the economies labor.