In this Grade 7 lesson from California myWorld Interactive's Chapter 9, students learn how Portugal built a colonial empire through key concepts including the Line of Demarcation, the Treaty of Tordesillas, and the colonization of Brazil with its brazilwood trade and sugar plantations. Students also examine how Portugal constructed a profitable Asian spice trade empire and why that empire eventually declined. The lesson covers the impact of Portuguese colonization on the Tupi people of Brazil and the role of Jesuit missionaries in the colony.
Section 1
Spain and Portugal Divide the World
After Columbus's voyages, Spain and Portugal became major rivals in exploring the globe. To prevent war over newly discovered lands, the two Catholic kingdoms agreed to divide the non-European world between them.
The Pope helped create this division by drawing the Line of Demarcation on a map. This imaginary line gave Spain the right to claim most of the Americas, while Portugal received control of Africa and Asia.
Section 2
Portugal Exploits Brazil's Resources
Portugal's colony in Brazil first became valuable for its brazilwood. This tree provided a popular red dye for European textiles and established the colony's economic importance.
The Portuguese then created vast sugar cane plantations. These farms required immense labor, so the Portuguese forcibly transported millions of enslaved Africans to Brazil to work in brutal conditions.
Section 3
Portugal Builds a Trading Post Empire
After Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to India, Portugal gained a direct sea route to Asia's valuable spice trade. This allowed the Portuguese to bypass the old land routes controlled by other merchants.
Portugal did not build a large land empire in Asia. Instead, military leaders like Afonso de Albuquerque used powerful cannons to seize control of key coastal cities. By capturing strategic ports like Goa and Malacca, the Portuguese created a trading post empire that dominated the Indian Ocean's sea lanes for a century.
Section 4
Rivals and Disasters Weaken the Portuguese Empire
Portugal's empire began to shrink as other European powers grew stronger. The Dutch and English challenged Portugal's control of the seas and its valuable trade routes. These rivals also supported privateers, who attacked and raided Portuguese ships, disrupting trade.
While facing these external threats, Portugal also suffered a major disaster at home. The massive 1755 Lisbon earthquake destroyed its capital city, costing many lives and a great deal of money. This combination of competition, piracy, and internal disaster led to the empire's decline.
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Section 1
Spain and Portugal Divide the World
After Columbus's voyages, Spain and Portugal became major rivals in exploring the globe. To prevent war over newly discovered lands, the two Catholic kingdoms agreed to divide the non-European world between them.
The Pope helped create this division by drawing the Line of Demarcation on a map. This imaginary line gave Spain the right to claim most of the Americas, while Portugal received control of Africa and Asia.
Section 2
Portugal Exploits Brazil's Resources
Portugal's colony in Brazil first became valuable for its brazilwood. This tree provided a popular red dye for European textiles and established the colony's economic importance.
The Portuguese then created vast sugar cane plantations. These farms required immense labor, so the Portuguese forcibly transported millions of enslaved Africans to Brazil to work in brutal conditions.
Section 3
Portugal Builds a Trading Post Empire
After Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to India, Portugal gained a direct sea route to Asia's valuable spice trade. This allowed the Portuguese to bypass the old land routes controlled by other merchants.
Portugal did not build a large land empire in Asia. Instead, military leaders like Afonso de Albuquerque used powerful cannons to seize control of key coastal cities. By capturing strategic ports like Goa and Malacca, the Portuguese created a trading post empire that dominated the Indian Ocean's sea lanes for a century.
Section 4
Rivals and Disasters Weaken the Portuguese Empire
Portugal's empire began to shrink as other European powers grew stronger. The Dutch and English challenged Portugal's control of the seas and its valuable trade routes. These rivals also supported privateers, who attacked and raided Portuguese ships, disrupting trade.
While facing these external threats, Portugal also suffered a major disaster at home. The massive 1755 Lisbon earthquake destroyed its capital city, costing many lives and a great deal of money. This combination of competition, piracy, and internal disaster led to the empire's decline.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter