Portugal

What geographic or technological advantages allowed Portugal to establish a global maritime empire?

Portugal's focus on maritime exploration, including the development of the Caravel, allowed them to navigate and control trade routes.

What was the Reconquista?

The Reconquista was the period during which Christian kingdoms in Portugal and Spain seized territory from Muslim rule, culminating in 1492.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement in 1494 between Portugal and Spain to divide newly discovered lands between them, establishing Portuguese claims in Brazil.

What are cash crops?

Cash crops are agricultural products grown for sale rather than for personal consumption, including sugar, tobacco, coffee, and cotton.

What was the Atlantic Slave Trade?

The Atlantic Slave Trade was the large-scale transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, primarily for labor on plantations.

How did Portuguese explorers initially interact with African kingdoms?

Portuguese explorers established friendly relations with various African kingdoms and obtained permission to build trading outposts along the coast.

What role did the Kilwa Sultanate play in Portuguese expansion?

The Kilwa Sultanate was significant as Vasco da Gama conquered the Swahili Coast, establishing trading outposts in East Africa.

What were settler colonies?

Settler colonies were designed to create large settlements for colonizers, often leading to the displacement of native populations.

What were extraction colonies?

Extraction colonies were established to extract resources for the mother country, typically with smaller colonizer populations and reliance on slave labor.

What was the significance of the Caravel in Portuguese exploration?

The Caravel was a ship design that allowed for greater maneuverability and firepower, enabling Portugal to dominate maritime trade.

What was the impact of the Portuguese presence in Brazil?

The Portuguese established plantations in Brazil for cash crops, which required a large labor force, leading to the importation of enslaved Africans.

How did some African kingdoms benefit from the Atlantic Slave Trade?

Some African kingdoms, like Dahomey and Kongo, became wealthy by using European firearms to raid neighboring settlements for slaves.

What was the Portuguese strategy in the Indian Ocean?

Portugal aimed to outcompete Arab dominance by establishing trading posts and using superior naval technology.

What was the role of the Malacca Strait in Portuguese trade?

The Malacca Strait was crucial for the Portuguese to control the spice trade by charging tolls on ships passing through.

What was the primary focus of Portuguese traders in China and Japan?

Portuguese traders aimed to establish limited trading posts and promote Catholicism through missionaries in China and Japan.

What was the Mongol Empire's influence on the cultural spheres discussed?

The Mongol Empire facilitated trade and cultural exchange across various regions, influencing spheres such as the Sinosphere and Indosphere.

What characterized the Gunpowder Empires mentioned in the notes?

The Gunpowder Empires, including the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals, were marked by military expansion and cultural resurgence following the Mongol legacy.

What was the significance of the year 1492 in the context of European exploration?

1492 marked the end of the Reconquista and Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, signifying the beginning of European colonial expansion.

What were the two notable African kingdoms involved in the slave trade?

Dahomey and Kongo were notable for their involvement in the slave trade, benefiting economically from capturing and selling slaves.

What was the relationship between Portugal and Spain during the Reconquista?

Portugal and Spain maintained a friendship during the Reconquista, which has continued into modern times.

What was the primary reason for the decline of the native population in Brazil?

The native population in Brazil declined due to disease, discontent, and rebellion against enslavement.

What is the significance of the term 'Dar al-Islam' in the context of cultural influence?

'Dar al-Islam' refers to regions where Islam is the dominant religion, influencing trade and cultural exchanges during the medieval era.