The document summarizes the history of Portugal from its rise as a world power during the Age of Discovery through colonial expansion and decline to present day. Key points include: 1) Portugal established a global colonial empire and naval power in the 15th-16th centuries but gradually lost territories to other European powers. 2) The empire formally ended in 1999 with the handover of Macau to China, though independence movements reduced Portuguese control earlier. 3) Portugal transitioned to a republic after a revolution in 1910 and a military coup established a dictatorship from 1926-1974.

1. History 140 – Theme 3 Part 1
By: Larissa Renwick

2. In The Beginning Present Day
 Portugal was considered a World  In the 19th century approximately 2
million Portuguese citizens left to live in
Power during the “Age of Discovery” United States and Brazil
 The Empire expanded through South  A revolution deposed the monarchy in
America, Africa, Asia & Australasia 1910 – the republic was unable to solve
the country’s problems
 Portugal lost much of its power to the  Amidst bankruptcy, repression of the
Dutch, English & French church and overall corruption a military
coup established a dictatorship in 1926
 Military decline started in 1578 with that remained until 1974
the Battle of Alcácer Quibir  Today Portugal has a republic
 In 1755 a giant earthquake destroyed government
Portugal’s capital city  Portugal is a founding member of the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
 During the Napoleonic Wars Portugal OECD, and EFTA and became a member
lost its largest colony in 1822, Brazil of the European Union in 1986

3.  During the Period of Discovery, Portugal was a contender of World Power with its
expansive colonial trading empire and cultural and political influence. They were said to
have a “Thalassocracy”, a Greek term meaning ruler of the sea.
 In 1415 the Portuguese Empire begins to form as the Portuguese Armada moves into
North Africa. A month later they conquer Cueta
 In 1494 The Treaty of Tordesillas is signed with Spain dividing Spain and Portugal
territory.
 In April of 1500 Brazil becomes a Portuguese colony and expands the trade in the East
 Between 1501-1514 Portugal begins globalization and claims territory in the Americas,
Africa, Middle East, Asia, Japan and China

4.  The first global empire and one of the longest living European Empires in
history
 The Empire expanded through South America, Africa, Asia & Australasia
 There were two world powers: Spain & Portugal
 Spain owned Western territory and Portugal owned the Eastern territory
 The largest and most successful colony of Portugal was Brazil who gained
wealth with sugar cane and slavery

5.  The French smuggled valuable Brazilwood which could have increased the
success of Brazil
 In 1693 the discovery of gold and diamonds significantly increased the
population in Brazil
 In 1789, an up rise was caused when tax was raised 20% for all mined gold. This
was an attempt by Lisbon to bring independence to Brazil, but was not
successful.
 The Portuguese Empire remained in effect until it relinquished Macau to China
in 1999

6.  In 1494 The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed which created the Tordesillas Meridian. It
divided the world between two kingdoms. Any land discovered to the East of the
Meridian belonged to Portugal and land discovered to the West belonged to Spain.
 In the beginning, Brazil had 15 hereditary captaincies. Pernambuco was a successful
captaincy from sugar cane output. Only one other captaincy was successful, São
Vicente’s. This captaincy collected wealth through slave trafficking. All other captaincies
did not prosper.
 The collapse of the captaincies led the king to make colonization a royal responsibility
rather than that of the captaincies. In 1549, De Sousa started the centralized government,
converted many natives to Roman Catholicism, began missions and discouraged slavery.
 In 1692 King Phillip decided to expand the size of the colonies of Brazil

7.  Spain ruled Portugal from 1580-1640
 Portugal’s wealth decreased under Spain’s rule and their various allies,
the most powerful of which, England, were lost
 The Atlantic Slave and Spice trades with the Far East were seized from
Portugal by the English and Dutch
 In 1625, Spain and Portugal joined forces to re-claim the land lost to the
Dutch
 In 1640 Portugal finally claims its independence from Spain