Historical Trade Routes Questions
The Portuguese established trade routes along the coast of Africa through a combination of exploration, diplomacy, and military force. They sent explorers, such as Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, to navigate the African coastline and find a direct sea route to India. These explorers established contact with local African rulers and established trade agreements, often through the exchange of gifts and diplomatic negotiations. Additionally, the Portuguese used their superior naval power to establish forts and trading posts along the coast, which allowed them to control and monopolize trade in the region.