How did the Portuguese Empire establish trade routes during the Age of Discovery?

Historical Trade Routes Questions Medium



80 Short 80 Medium 45 Long Answer Questions Question Index

How did the Portuguese Empire establish trade routes during the Age of Discovery?

During the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese Empire established trade routes through a combination of exploration, strategic alliances, and the establishment of trading posts.

Firstly, the Portuguese were pioneers in maritime exploration, using advanced navigational techniques and shipbuilding technology to venture into uncharted waters. Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, they began exploring the West African coast in the 15th century, gradually expanding their knowledge of the region and establishing contact with local African kingdoms.

Secondly, the Portuguese formed strategic alliances with local rulers and merchants along their trade routes. They sought to establish friendly relations and secure exclusive trading rights in order to gain a competitive advantage over other European powers. By forming alliances with African rulers, such as the Kingdom of Kongo, the Portuguese were able to establish a network of trade routes that extended further south along the African coast.

Lastly, the Portuguese Empire established a series of trading posts along their trade routes. These fortified outposts served as bases for Portuguese merchants and allowed them to control and monopolize trade in the regions they occupied. The most famous of these trading posts was the fortress of Elmina in present-day Ghana, which became a major hub for the trade of gold, ivory, and slaves.

Overall, the Portuguese Empire's establishment of trade routes during the Age of Discovery was a result of their maritime exploration, strategic alliances, and the establishment of trading posts. These efforts allowed them to dominate trade in the Indian Ocean, establish a vast empire, and pave the way for future European colonial powers in the age of global exploration and trade.