15. Portugal was a major global maritime power lasting a century from the late 1400’s.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in the East Indies in the early 1500’s, establishing a network of trading posts and fortresses, including in the Spice Islands and a major port in Malacca in 1511. The Portuguese aimed to control the spice trade and extend their Christian missionary efforts.

Portugal went through a “Golden Age” in the sixteenth century. Portugal’s seaborne empire extended from West Africa to Brazil and from Mozambique to India, the Persian Gulf, Southeast Asia, China and the Spice Islands (part of today’s Indonesia). It was one of the longest-lived colonial empires in European history, lasting almost six centuries from the conquest of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415, to the transfer of sovereignty over Macau to China in 1999. 

Portugal, a small but ambitious nation, sought wealth, new trade routes, and territorial expansion starting from the late 15^th Century. Significant Key Voyages and Discoveries were achieved:

Bartolomeu Dias (1488): His historic journey around the southern tip of Africa proved that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans were connected. Naming it the Cape of Good Hope, Dias’ discovery paved the way for direct trade with Asia.

Vasco da Gama (1497-1499): Building upon Dias’ achievement, da Gama led the first successful voyage to India, establishing Portuguese control over lucrative spice trade routes.

Pedro Álvares Cabral (1500): While following da Gama’s route, Cabral accidentally discovered Brazil, securing Portugal’s claim in the New World.

During the Age of Exploration, Portuguese navigators set sail from Malacca, a vital Southeast Asian port, to expand their empire and increase their wealth. Driven by ambitions of securing lucrative trade routes and discovering new territories, they ventured south in pursuit of untapped resources.

Your next read in the series: 16. What did we learn about Cristóvão de Mendonça's expedition in 1522/23?