Question

Why was Portugal able to take an early lead in the exploration of the Indian Ocean? How did such a tiny country gain supremacy over the trade in that region? When and how did Portugal lose that supremacy?

Answer 1

Portugal was leading the way in the early days of oceanic exploration due to their development of sailing innovations, along with the strong support provided by their government, including the overseas enthusiast Prince Henry. At the time, Spain and Portugal were leaders in overseas exploration (countries such as France or England were busy with wars and conflicts) and Spain was heading west, followed by Portugal exploring the east. The Royal House of Aviz was the ruling house at the time in Portugal, and they were set to establish a direct trade route to Asia. This allowed Portuguese captains to secure numerous trade routes along the shores of Africa, followed by the Middle East, India, China, and the East Indies and allowing Portugal to take the lead in the exploration of the Indian Ocean.

The reason for this small country to gain supremacy over the trade was for many reasons, some of which we discussed earlier. We already know that they took the lead in exploring the eastern seas, while Spain traveled west, and countries such as England and France were at war, so that's one point for Portugal. Portugal had a heavy Catholic influence, and the Pope was supporting these endeavors. Prince Henry founded the first navigation school, where ship captains learned to perfect their trade. New markets were opening due to the increasingly wealthier Portuguese. Bartolomeu Días route to Africa in 1488, Vasco da Gama amazing journey in 1497 establishing a direct route to India, along with the Treaty of Tordesillas which divided the kept Spain away for at least 20 years, allowed Portugal to gain supremacy over this region.

Portugal ultimately lost it's reign forever as the Asian trade was diverted through increasing trade posts from the English, Dutch, and French, along with the increasing European Colonialism.

Happy Holidays!

Answer 2

In 1479, at the end of the Castilian War of Succession, which involved Portugal against the Catholic Monarchs, the Treaty of Alcáçovas was signed and a period of rapproachement between Spain and Portugal began. The text also settled several pending territorial issues between the two Crowns: the Canary Islands belonged by right to Castile; the Kingdom of Fez, the Azores and Madeira islands, Cape Verde, Guinea and the right of navegation beyond the Canaries, were recognized to Portugal.

For that reason, when being the Portuguese territories to the east of the Spanish ones, their explorations continued in that direction. This is how, bordering the African continent, the Portuguese explorers reached the Indian Ocean, where they formed colonies dedicated to expand their trade.

Portugal created small commercial bases in several points of Africa and the Indian Ocean, obtaining presence in the most important commercial routes of that tim, and began to charge those who passed through its colonies.

Portugal lost its power when, in 1581 in the middle of a dynasty crisis, the Spanish Crown came to the Portuguese throne. However, in 1668 Portuguese sovereignity over its territory was restored.

Portugal continued administrating colonies until 1970.