Settlement and Consequences - Portugal Flashcards
What was the purpose of Portuguese forts and trading posts in Africa?
-Key points of navigation and trade.
-outposts allowed Portugal to dominate trade in gold, ivory, and later, slaves.
Reasons for Portugals strategic establishment of forts, staging posts, and trading outposts across Africa, India, the Far East?
-control lucrative trade routes
-secure valuable resources
-extend its influence across the seas.
-Elmina Castle
-Elmina Castle on the Gold Coast - erected in 1482.
- first trading post built on the Gulf of Guinea,.
-crucial hub for Portuguese activities.
-primary location for the procurement of gold, ivory, and other valuable commodities from the region.
-strategic position facilitated Portugal’s dominance in the transatlantic slave trade during this period, central hub for the capture, imprisonment, and sale of African slaves to European colonies in the Americas.
-Portuguese merchants monopolized the trade routes
Portugal forts, staging and trading posts in India
-posts along the western coast of India.
-Vasco da Gama’s successful sea route to India in 1498 - paved Portuguese dominance of Spice trade.
-Fort Kochi and Fort Anjediva
-strongholds - allowing a Portuguese monopoly.
Portugal forts, staging and trading posts in far East
-vital role in securing dominance in the Malacca Strait and the Indonesian archipelago.
-Malacca, a crucial trading port - captured by Afonso de Albuquerque - 1511.
-lead to establishment of forts - A Famosa.
-bases for Portuguese naval operations
-controled vital sea-routes - trade - facilitating further trade - China, Southeast Asia, and the Spice Islands.
Portuguese settlement of Brazil
-Portugals colonial endeavours.
-Discovered by Cabral 1500.
-establishment of sugar plantations - led to construction of forts along coast line - protection against - European rivals and indigenous resistance.
-Fort São João - in the the Bay of Guanabara.
-importation of African slaves for labour in the burgeoning sugar industry.
(much more on settlements in conquests)
The Casa da Índia e da Guiné
1443
Casa da Índia e da Guiné: Establishment: Founded in the late 15th century in Lisbon, Portugal.
Purpose: Managed the administration of Portuguese overseas territories and trade.
Functions:
o Monitored and regulated trade with Africa (Guinea) and India.
o Collected taxes and duties on goods.
o Issued trading licenses and managed maritime logistics.
o Oversaw the financing and outfitting of exploration and trade voyages.
o Monopoly: Held a royal monopoly on the spice trade, particularly valuable commodities like pepper, cloves, and cinnamon.
Economic Impact:
o Central to Portugal’s dominance in global trade during the Age of Discovery.
o Contributed significantly to the Portuguese economy through control of lucrative trade routes and goods.
Local governance in Goa
Viceroy, who represented the Crown
Captain-Major, who commanded the military forces.
Portuguese administrative system in Brazil?
-see in Conquest flashcards.
Problems with administration?
vast distances
communication delays
-the need for prompt decision-making
-all posed difficulties for centralized control
-captaincies in Brazil, reflected the pragmatic responses to the diverse conditions in the New World.
Estado da Índia (State of India)
Establishment:
-Founded in 1505 as a major Portuguese colonial entity.
-Created to govern and oversee Portuguese territories and trade in the Indian Ocean region.
-Capital established in Cochin, later moved to Goa in 1510.
Administration:
Governed by a Viceroy appointed by the Portuguese Crown.
Structured to manage trade, defense, and diplomacy in the region.
Included a network of forts, trading posts (feitorias), and settlements.
Economic Impact:
Controlled major spice routes and ports, particularly in the spice trade.
Facilitated trade of spices, textiles, precious stones, and luxury items.
Generated substantial revenue for Portugal, funding further exploration and colonial ventures.
Military Presence:
Maintained strong naval and military forces to safeguard trade routes and territories.
Engaged in conflicts with local rulers and European rivals like the Dutch and British to protect its interests.
