The Portuguese had begun colonizing Africa after their rounding of the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. The English and the French had begun exploring northeast Africa, so the Portuguese concentrated on the south, what is now Congo and Angola. Their chief aim was to provide slaves for their colony of Brazil in South America. […]
Category: Portugal
João Rodrigues- The Interpreter
Written on October 4, 2016 by ER at 2:40 PM | 0
ER, Japan, Portugal, Rest of the World, Southern Europe
ER, Japan, Portugal, Rest of the World, Southern Europe
Japan was a land of mystery for westerners for many years. Marco Polo had written about it, but never been there. It was one of the destinations of Christopher Columbus as he sailed West in 1492. However, it was still very much an unknown in the 16th century, when Portuguese merchants and missionaries arrived on […]
Treaty of Tordesillas
Written on September 27, 2016 by ER at 3:37 PM | 0
Americas, Central America, ER, Portugal, South America, Southern Europe, Spain
Americas, Central America, ER, Portugal, South America, Southern Europe, Spain
So if you watched the US presidential debate last night, you would have heard one of the candidates make mention that the Iran arms deal is the “worst in history”. This got me thinking. No matter what your political persuasion, I think we can all agree this is hyperbole. All of history is a very, […]
The Cadaver Queen- The Tragedy of Inês de Castro
The story of Inês de Castro is a sad one. She found her prince for all the good it did her, but ended up a tragedy. Inês was born in 1320 to Pedro Fernandes de Castro, who was a powerful noble as well as the illegitimate grandson of King Sancho IV of Castile. Like many […]
The Role of Religion in Empire Building
Written on April 13, 2016 by Phoebe at 12:40 PM | 0
Africa, England, India, Northern Europe, Phoebe, Portugal, South America, Southern Europe, United States
Africa, England, India, Northern Europe, Phoebe, Portugal, South America, Southern Europe, United States
Although Empires began and subsequently expanded for a variety of reasons, religion and culture played an important part, both as a catalyst and subsequently in the shaping of newly established Empires regardless of the initial motive for conquer. Examples of trade, security, lack of resources in the core nation, financial gain, religion and exploration demonstrate […]