October 4, 2019
Portuguese Exploration Another influential country during the age of exploration would be the Portuguese. Portugal was the first country to decide to find a water route to Asia. In order to do so Portugal created a school to train sailors in navigation. They brought in mapmakers to create more accurate maps, shipbuilders to help design new and improved ships for long distance travel, and even hired people to improve the compass and astrolabe which are tools to help with navigation.
NOTES: *First country to find a water route to Asia *Created a school for sailing *Designed new ships *Improved navigation tools October 4, 2019
Portuguese Explorers
Some of the most important Portuguese explorers were Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, and Pedro Alvarez Cabral.
Pedro Alvarez Cabral Bartolomeu Dias Vasco da Gama October 4, 2019
Bartolomeu Dias Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer who was ordered by King John II to sail to the southern tip of Africa. In 1488 Dias sailed to the tip of Africa. As they reached the southern part of Africa a storm came in and blew them out to sea. Once everything cleared they realized that the storm had blown them around the tip of Africa. This made Dias the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa. NOTES: *Sailed in 1488 *1st European to sail around the southern tip of Africa. October 4, 2019
Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who in 1497 used the route that Dias had found, going around the tip of Africa, to find a water route to Asia. In 1498 da Gama reached India where he traded for perfumes, silks, spices, and other goods. In 1499 when he returned home he was rewarded with the title Admiral of the Sea of India. His voyage helped open a trade route between Europe and Asia. This trade made Portugal one of the most wealthy, important, and powerful trading powers in the Indian Ocean.
NOTES: *Sailed from 1497-1499 *Found a water route to Asia *Helped Portugal become a wealthy and powerful country October 4, 2019
Pedro Alvarez Cabral Pedro Alvarez Cabral was a Portuguese navigator who sailed with both Dias and da Gama on their voyages to find India. Cabral was then tasked with the job to find a water route to India going west. So, in 1500 Cabral sailed and landed on parts of Brazil. He claimed the lands for Portugal. NOTES: *Sailed with Dias and da Gama *Claimed present day Brazil for Portugal October 4, 2019
The Portuguese Impact Even though Portugal didn't have much to do with the exploration of the Americas it's impact was key in finding the new world. The Portuguese provided different countries with blue prints on how to make ships quicker and stronger for longer trips. It gave the world new instruments to help with sea navigation. It also gave Europe a water route to trade with Asia. During the age of exploration Portugal was one of the most powerful countries in the world.