Era dos Descobrimentos - Séculos XV e XVI

Descobrimentos

• Período de Expansão: Séculos XV e XVI, conhecido como a Era dos Descobrimentos.

• Motivações para os Descobrimentos:

  • Busca por novas rotas comerciais.
  • Expansão do cristianismo.
  • Concorrência com outras potências europeias.

• Principais Figuras:

  • Infante Dom Henrique: Pioneiro nas explorações marítimas, estabeleceu uma escola de navegação em Sagres.
  • Vasco da Gama: Primeiro a chegar à Índia por mar em 1498.
  • Pedro Álvares Cabral: Descobridor do Brasil em 1500.

• Principais Descobertas:

  • África: Exploração da costa ocidental e a busca por ouro e especiarias.
  • Índia: A rota marítima para a Índia trouxe riqueza e especiarias para Portugal.
  • Brasil: Colônia portuguesa que se tornou uma das mais ricas devido à produção de açúcar e, posteriormente, café.

• Tratado de Tordesilhas (1494):

  • Acordo entre Portugal e Espanha para dividir o Novo Mundo.
  • Linha de demarcação que atribuía terras a cada país.

• Impactos dos Descobrimentos:

  • Enriquecimento de Portugal e aumento do seu poderio naval.
  • Formação de um império colonial vasto.
  • Interações culturais e comerciais com diversas civilizações.
  • Consequências negativas para povos indígenas, incluindo exploração e escravização.

• Declínio:

  • A competição com outras potências, como Espanha, Inglaterra e Holanda.
  • Crises internas e guerras levaram à perda de colônias e influência global.

• Legado:

  • A influência cultural e linguística portuguesa em várias partes do mundo.
  • A marca deixada nas rotas comerciais e na história marítima global.

Age of Discoveries

• Period of expansion during the 15th and 16th centuries, known as the Age of Discoveries.
• Motivations included search for new trade routes, spread of Christianity, and competition among European powers.

Key Figures

• Infante Dom Henrique: A pioneer in maritime exploration, he established a navigation school in Sagres, Portugal.
• Vasco da Gama: First to reach India by sea in 1498, establishing a significant trade route.
• Pedro Álvares Cabral: Discovered Brazil in 1500, marking a pivotal moment in exploration.

Major Discoveries

• Africa: Coastal exploration aimed at acquiring gold and spices.
• India: Establishment of a maritime route brought immense wealth and spices to Portugal.
• Brazil: Became a prosperous Portuguese colony, primarily through sugar and later coffee production.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• Agreement between Portugal and Spain to divide the New World.
• Established a demarcation line that allocated territories to each country.

Impacts of Discoveries

• Enrichment of Portugal and enhancement of its naval power.
• Creation of a vast colonial empire.
• Cultural and commercial interactions emerged with diverse civilizations.
• Negative consequences for indigenous peoples, including exploitation and enslavement.

Decline of Portuguese Influence

• Increased competition with other powers such as Spain, England, and the Netherlands.
• Internal crises and wars led to the loss of colonies and diminished global influence.

Legacy

• Sustained cultural and linguistic influence of Portuguese in various regions worldwide.
• Significant impact on global trade routes and maritime history.

Context (1800s)

• Brazil was a Portuguese colony abundant in natural resources.
• The Portuguese court's presence in Brazil (1808-1821) during the Napoleonic Wars strengthened local administration.

Causes of Independence

• Enlightenment ideas and revolutions, such as the American and French, influenced Brazilian sentiments.
• Economic dissatisfaction arose from colonial policies and high taxes.
• A desire for political and social autonomy grew among Brazilians.

Key Events

• In 1821, the return of the court to Portugal led to a leadership crisis in Brazil.
• On September 7, 1822, Prince Regent Dom Pedro I refused to return to Portugal and proclaimed Brazil's independence.

Proclamation of Independence

• Dom Pedro I's declaration of independence on September 7, 1822, was marked by the phrase "Independência ou Morte," symbolizing the struggle for freedom.

Consequences

• The establishment of the Empire of Brazil occurred, with Dom Pedro I as the emperor.
• Portugal formally recognized Brazil's independence in 1825 after financial agreements.
• This independence impacted diplomatic relations and trade between Brazil and Portugal.

Social and Economic Repercussions

• The independence did not immediately change social structures in Brazil.
• Slavery continued until its abolition in 1888, highlighting persistent social issues.
• Brazil emerged as a significant economic player in Latin America.

Legacy

• Brazil's independence initiated a process of national identity formation.
• The event contributed to a clear separation from Portugal, laying the groundwork for future bilateral relations.