Ch. 15: Section II: Portugal Leads the Way (Pages 344-349)

1. This section is about: How Prince Henry the Navigator sent out explorers, including Vasco da Gama, to seek a trade route to the East around the African continent. The trading empires established by the Portuguese, English, Dutch, Spanish, and French in the East. Ch. 15: Section II: Portugal Leads the Way(Pages 344-349) Giant Statue Commemorating Exploration in Lisbon, Portugal C

2. There are two big exploration names in the “Main Ideas” on page 344. We should look at the map on page 348: let’s see which countries we’re looking at in this section? Have you ever been part of a group who wanted to do something special? And… maybe you even became the leader or helped out in a special way? That’s some of what this section’s about. C

3. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to look for a sea route to Asia. Over a 40 year period (1419-1459), Prince Henry sent out many expeditions. He also supported research in navigation and boat design. So… people call him Henry the Navigator. Exploration Under Henry the Navigator C

4. Prince Henry set up a “school” for the best sailors, geographers, shipbuilders, mapmakers, astronomers and makers of tools. These were the people who designed the caravels (last section). Henry had many reasons for all this: He was curious about the world. Navigation and shipbuilding fascinated him. He wanted to find direct routes for trade. He wanted to use his knowledge to oppose the power of the Muslims. A Sailing Study Center 1 C

5. Henry sent out many expeditions (reaching the Azores was first). He kept sending people to explore further and further along the coast of Africa, naming capes, bays and rivers as he went. But, they found trading with the Africans was disappointing (only fish, seal oil and sealskins). He wanted more and knew there was more. ……… Down the African Coast 2 3 C

6. 4 5 • There were much more valuable commodities further south and in the Middle East (gold dust, ivory, pepper, and slaves). • Eventually he got far enough to get some of these – and set up the first overseas European trading post. • By the time Henry died in 1460, they had gotten all the way to the Congo River C

7. After Henry he Navigator died, exploration slowed down some. Without Henry’s support, sailors weren’t as good, and many were worried about unsafe exploration. But some forts were built for protection, including one by King John II in Guinea. Towards the Indian Ocean C

8. King John sent out more expeditions to see if they could get the rest of the way around Africa. In 1487, Bartolomeu Dias (and 3 ships) sailed – and soon encountered horrible weather. They weren’t even sure of where they were going, so his men convinced him to turn around. As they were heading back to Portugal, they realized they had passed the southern tip of Africa. At first Dias called it “The Cape of Storms” but the Portuguese king decided to call it “The Cape of Good Hope.” It did prove there was a chance to go all the way around Africa Bartolomeu Dias Rounds Africa 6 C

9. The Portuguese were still determined to get to Asia by sailing around Africa. 10 years later (1497), Vasco da Gama set sail (4 ships/170 sailors) with the goal of reaching Calcutta, India. He had the newest maps, tools, and tables of the time. He passed the rough seas of The Cape of Good Hope – and kept going, staying close to land until they hit Mozambique. He finally made it (months later). In 1499, 2 of his ships came back to Portugal, filled with pepper, cinnamon, and spices. His proof that Europe could get to India by sea had a great impact on politics and business of the time. Vasco da Gama Sails to India 7 C

10. The Portuguese mainly explored because it was their way to get rich. In western Africa they quickly took control of the gold trade. They also built trading posts with forts. But not in East Africa and India. In the Indian Ocean area, trade was controlled by the Arabs Trading Empires C

11. When they went back to the Indian Ocean (after Vasco da Gama’s expedition), they brought force (a fleet of ships to stand guard, and bases for their ships). The Arabs didn’t like that and decided to attack, but the Portuguese had better ships and beat the Arabs. Only 15 years after da Gama’s trip, the Portuguese controlled all the Indian Ocean. They next started trade and posts all the way to eastern China and Japan The Portuguese Take Control 8 C

12. Portugal’s trading empire began to break up about 1580. Henry the Navigator and King John were gone for over 100 years. Spain was beginning to become wealthy and powerful. They even split up some lands they both wanted in the Americas – in the Treaty of Tordesillas … Power Shifts in the East 9 C

13. Other European countries also wanted to trade in those areas. In the 1600’s, trade was controlled by companies (not countries) like the East India Company and the Dutch East India Company. These companies were controlled by shareholders, who provided the company with money. Over the next 60 years, the Dutch took control of many Portuguese trading territories. By 1641, the Dutch controlled the spice trade. At the same time, the English and the French were starting to gain more power. … C

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15. Finish the rest on your own 10 C

16. This is the last slide for today Make sure page "C" is completed C