0:00:10.214,0:00:13.666 This is a map[br]of the world's shipping lanes 0:00:14.339,0:00:17.081 showcasing the intricate network[br]of maritime routes 0:00:17.111,0:00:19.797 that connect our modern world[br]through global trade. 0:00:19.847,0:00:23.655 Although some of these routes [br]were established in more recent times 0:00:23.865,0:00:26.319 such as the Suez and Panama canals, 0:00:26.509,0:00:30.270 most of these oceanic highways[br]were chartered long ago 0:00:30.330,0:00:33.779 in an age where there was[br]no reliable way of navigation 0:00:33.799,0:00:36.678 other than local knowledge[br]and some rudimentary maps. 0:00:38.108,0:00:41.158 However, just over 500 years ago 0:00:41.188,0:00:43.573 at the beginning of the 16th century 0:00:43.654,0:00:46.921 these international trade routes[br]did not even exist. 0:00:47.991,0:00:51.439 Only due to the emergence[br]of the small Iberian nation of Portugal 0:00:51.499,0:00:53.688 as a maritime superpower, 0:00:53.751,0:00:56.716 were these connections [br]to other parts of the world 0:00:56.736,0:01:00.631 made possible through their daring[br]voyages and navigational prowess. 0:01:00.778,0:01:04.194 Portugal quickly established[br]an empire for itself, 0:01:04.427,0:01:07.931 stretching from Africa, to Asia[br]and South America. 0:01:08.961,0:01:12.187 These maritime exploits[br]not only fueled Portugal's wealth. 0:01:12.237,0:01:14.205 an astonishing rise to power, 0:01:14.205,0:01:18.307 but also laid the foundation[br]for the interconnected global economy 0:01:18.376,0:01:19.881 that we benefit from today. 0:01:20.381,0:01:24.801 But how did this relatively obscure nation[br]on the edge of Europe emerged 0:01:24.864,0:01:27.704 to forge an Empire that would shape[br]the course of History 0:01:27.704,0:01:29.393 for centuries to come? 0:01:29.700,0:01:32.628 This is the History [br]of the Portuguese Empire. 0:01:36.948,0:01:40.911 All of our videos are available to watch[br]ad free over on our substack page. 0:01:42.063,0:01:44.616 you can also read along[br]to the original scripts 0:01:44.626,0:01:47.607 as well as listen to the audio generation[br]as podcasts 0:01:47.607,0:01:50.206 by following the link[br]in the video description below 0:01:50.206,0:01:51.829 and subscribing with your email. 0:01:51.999,0:01:53.255 Thank you. 0:01:53.885,0:01:56.833 The kingdom of Portugal emerged out[br]of the series of events 0:01:56.833,0:01:59.363 known to History as the Reconquista 0:01:59.413,0:02:02.208 which was the the gradual reconquest[br]of Christian lands 0:02:02.208,0:02:04.843 on the Iberian Peninsula[br]from the Muslim Moors 0:02:04.873,0:02:08.144 who had invaded the territory[br]far back in the 8th century, 0:02:08.504,0:02:11.078 having established itself [br]as a sovereign kingdom 0:02:11.108,0:02:12.765 by the middle of the 12th century, 0:02:12.785,0:02:16.388 the Portuguese went on to push[br]out the remaining Moors to the South 0:02:16.428,0:02:20.021 by capturing the territory[br]of the Algarve in 1249, 0:02:20.121,0:02:22.867 effectively setting out the borders[br]of their kingdom 0:02:22.877,0:02:25.565 along the same lines[br]to which they exist today. 0:02:25.600,0:02:28.186 With their own territory secured[br]from external threats 0:02:28.216,0:02:31.749 and the possibility of further expansion[br]on the Iberian Peninsula ruled out 0:02:31.759,0:02:33.881 on account of their friendly relations 0:02:33.891,0:02:36.914 with the neighboring Christian[br]kingdom of Castile to the east. 0:02:36.914,0:02:39.287 Portugal turned its attention[br]towards the sea 0:02:39.397,0:02:41.885 and the possibility[br]of exerting its own influence 0:02:41.971,0:02:45.667 upon both it and the lands[br]that lay beyond in North Africa. 0:02:46.595,0:02:50.656 The year 1415 marked a pivotal[br]moment in Portuguese expansion 0:02:50.997,0:02:54.722 for a decision was made to orchestrate[br]an attack on the city of Ceuta, 0:02:54.813,0:02:57.331 which was held by the Marinid Sultanate. 0:02:57.921,0:02:59.847 Although many at the time[br]considered this 0:02:59.847,0:03:02.246 nothing more than a continuation[br]of the hostilities 0:03:02.286,0:03:03.915 between Christians and Muslims, 0:03:03.955,0:03:06.891 in reality it paved the way [br]for the Portuguese 0:03:06.941,0:03:09.714 to expand their dominions [br]and economic interests 0:03:09.766,0:03:12.038 beyond the Iberian Peninsula 0:03:12.068,0:03:14.629 and marked the beginning [br]of the Portuguese Empire. 0:03:15.849,0:03:17.870 Despite capturing the city, 0:03:17.870,0:03:21.265 the Portuguese were not able[br]to advance further into North Africa 0:03:21.379,0:03:22.960 as they had initially planned, 0:03:22.960,0:03:25.615 owing to determined resistance[br]by local Muslim forces. 0:03:25.915,0:03:28.803 Nevertheless they continued[br]to guarnison Ceuta 0:03:28.843,0:03:30.857 and used its harbor as a base 0:03:30.917,0:03:33.094 to explore the Atlantic [br]coastline of Africa. 0:03:33.824,0:03:36.197 This policy of maritime exploration 0:03:36.237,0:03:38.384 was championed by a prominent figure 0:03:38.404,0:03:40.637 in the early days [br]of the Portuguese Empire´: 0:03:40.677,0:03:42.399 Prince Henry, the Navigator. 0:03:42.769,0:03:46.297 He was curious to know[br]how far the Muslim territories in Africa 0:03:46.370,0:03:47.845 extended Southward, 0:03:47.865,0:03:51.373 and whether it would be possible[br]to reach Asia by an easterly sea route. 0:03:52.177,0:03:56.461 Consequently, scores of Portuguese ships[br]began to set off into the Atlantic Ocean 0:03:56.501,0:03:58.768 and around the coast of North Africa 0:03:58.848,0:04:03.215 probing further and further into what[br]were at the time uncharted waters. 0:04:03.782,0:04:06.113 The islands of Madeira and the Azores 0:04:06.113,0:04:10.045 were first cited in 1419 and 1427,[br]respectively, 0:04:10.098,0:04:12.344 and were subsequently[br]incorporated 0:04:12.364,0:04:15.171 as the latest additions[br]to the expanding Portuguese Empire. 0:04:15.971,0:04:17.767 One of the first natural barriers 0:04:17.767,0:04:20.227 the Portuguese encountered[br]on their explorations 0:04:20.244,0:04:22.029 was Cape Bojador. 0:04:22.031,0:04:25.099 The violent waters that surround it[br]had claimed many vessels 0:04:25.099,0:04:27.104 that had previously tried to pass through 0:04:27.114,0:04:29.781 and it was widely deemed [br]to be a point of no return. 0:04:30.031,0:04:32.105 That was until 1434, 0:04:32.135,0:04:35.537 when Gil Eanes successfully[br]found the navigable passage 0:04:35.637,0:04:37.043 around the cape 0:04:37.053,0:04:38.926 and opened up further[br]exploration South 0:04:38.969,0:04:40.907 towards subsaharan Africa. 0:04:41.137,0:04:43.190 No sooner had this feat been achieved 0:04:43.256,0:04:45.921 that the merchants of Lisbon[br]began to search 0:04:45.921,0:04:48.355 for newer and more exotic markets 0:04:48.355,0:04:49.801 to which they could trade to. 0:04:49.981,0:04:54.208 gold, ivory, pepper, cotton and sugar,[br]all from Africa, 0:04:54.248,0:04:56.085 soon became more commonplace 0:04:56.105,0:04:58.363 amongst the trading stools of Lisbon 0:04:58.363,0:05:00.698 as did the practice[br]of selling African slaves 0:05:00.868,0:05:05.089 which began the long and dark history[br]of the transatlantic slave trade 0:05:05.109,0:05:08.539 that would continue for the next 400 years 0:05:09.285,0:05:11.870 Over the subsequent decades[br]of the 15th century, 0:05:11.870,0:05:14.207 the Portuguese ventured [br]further and further South 0:05:14.277,0:05:16.006 down the coast of Africa. 0:05:16.006,0:05:18.745 reaching the Cape Verde Islands[br]in 1456 0:05:18.855,0:05:21.825 and the Gulf of Guinea by the 1460s. 0:05:22.215,0:05:25.469 As they explored, they left behind[br]a series of "padrões", 0:05:25.469,0:05:29.152 stone crosses engraved[br]with the Portuguese coat of arms, 0:05:29.212,0:05:31.523 marking out their territorial claims 0:05:31.543,0:05:34.154 which were followed up[br]with the construction of forts 0:05:34.164,0:05:35.589 and trading posts. 0:05:35.629,0:05:39.312 From these bases they engaged[br]profitably in the gold and slave trades 0:05:39.342,0:05:41.693 which they held a virtual monopoly on 0:05:41.733,0:05:43.709 for well over a century. 0:05:43.989,0:05:46.852 The real prize for the[br]portuguese merchants however 0:05:46.852,0:05:50.502 was a supposed, but as yet unconfirmed,[br]sea route to Asia . 0:05:51.268,0:05:53.901 They hoped that the discovery[br]of such a route 0:05:53.921,0:05:57.211 would allow them direct access [br]to the spice markets of the Indies 0:05:57.268,0:06:00.800 and bypass the expensive[br]arab and venetian merchants 0:06:00.871,0:06:04.118 who controlled the overland trade routes[br]through the Middle East 0:06:04.148,0:06:06.341 and across the Mediterranean[br]into Europe. 0:06:06.351,0:06:10.308 Then, in 1488 news reached[br]the ears of the Portuguese authorities 0:06:10.358,0:06:14.251 that Bartholomew Dias had rounded[br]the southern tip of Africa 0:06:14.271,0:06:15.921 and reached the Indian Ocean, 0:06:15.921,0:06:19.328 proving that such an easterly[br]passage did indeed exist. 0:06:20.138,0:06:24.627 However, this revelation would soon[br]be eclipsed in magnitude, 0:06:24.687,0:06:26.221 just four years later, 0:06:26.221,0:06:29.582 when Christopher Columbus sailed[br]westwards across the Atlantic Ocean 0:06:29.634,0:06:32.110 in search of his own theoretical route[br]to the Indies 0:06:32.110,0:06:36.403 and in the process inadvertently[br]discovered an entirely New World. 0:06:37.473,0:06:39.578 The discovery of the Americas 0:06:39.578,0:06:41.904 which Columbus claimed[br]in the name of Spain 0:06:41.914,0:06:44.205 and initially believed to be part[br]of Eastern Asia 0:06:44.215,0:06:47.144 quickly created a problem[br]for the two Iberian Nations. 0:06:47.144,0:06:50.645 Not knowing where one set of recently[br]discovered lands ended 0:06:50.665,0:06:52.645 and another began, 0:06:52.685,0:06:56.190 they consequently agreed to divide[br]the world in two spheres of influence, 0:06:56.190,0:06:59.586 between themselves, marked [br]by a north/south line of Meridian 0:06:59.667,0:07:01.021 roughly halfway 0:07:01.096,0:07:03.580 between the Cape Verde Islands[br]controlled by Portugal 0:07:03.610,0:07:06.492 and the Caribbean Islands of the Americas 0:07:06.492,0:07:09.566 which Columbus had recently discovered [br]and claimed for Spain. 0:07:09.798,0:07:13.918 The Treaty of Tordesilhas[br]ratified this agreement in 1494 0:07:13.958,0:07:16.808 and effectively carved the world in two. 0:07:17.048,0:07:20.528 with the lands to the East of this line[br]to be claimed solely by Portugal 0:07:20.608,0:07:23.353 and the lands to the West [br]claimed solely by Spain. 0:07:24.413,0:07:27.676 With the dispute settled,[br]Portugal could finally begin to undertake 0:07:27.686,0:07:31.497 its long-standing ambition[br]of charting a sea route to Asia 0:07:31.547,0:07:34.383 and so, on the 8th of July 1497, 0:07:34.393,0:07:37.651 the explorer Vasco de Gama left Lisbon 0:07:37.676,0:07:41.244 with a fleet of four ships [br]and a crew of 170 men 0:07:41.334,0:07:44.278 bound for the Indian Ocean[br]in search of Asia. 0:07:45.288,0:07:48.301 After a voyage of some 10 months[br]Vasco da Gama's expedition 0:07:48.341,0:07:51.223 finally made landfall [br]on the Malibar coast of India 0:07:51.242,0:07:53.313 in May 1498 0:07:53.343,0:07:56.923 and subsequently met with the Zamorin,[br]or king of Calicut 0:07:57.163,0:07:59.354 to establish the trade relations 0:07:59.354,0:08:01.279 that they they had long hoped for. 0:08:01.489,0:08:04.496 Whilst the Portuguese's arrival[br]was greeted with hospitality, 0:08:04.586,0:08:07.193 the local indian traders[br]found little value 0:08:07.193,0:08:09.178 in the trinkets and commodities 0:08:09.178,0:08:11.537 the Europeans had brought with them[br]to exchange 0:08:11.577,0:08:15.092 and so, da Gama's expedition[br]largely left empty-handed. 0:08:15.824,0:08:19.221 Their return journey back to Portugal[br]took an agonizing amount of time 0:08:19.231,0:08:21.979 owing to the monsoon conditions[br]they had to face up at sea 0:08:22.085,0:08:25.812 which took an immense toll[br]on both the crew and the ships 0:08:26.272,0:08:31.317 Nevertheless the survivors arrived back[br]in Lisbon during the summer of 1499 0:08:31.694,0:08:33.895 and were given a hero's welcome. 0:08:33.945,0:08:36.746 Despite the meager quantities[br]of spices and other goods 0:08:36.776,0:08:38.802 they had brought back. 0:08:38.942,0:08:41.824 Although the expedition itself [br]may not have been profitable, 0:08:41.914,0:08:45.128 it demonstrated that maritime trade[br]to Asia was possible 0:08:45.241,0:08:47.199 and had huge potential . 0:08:48.339,0:08:51.353 The second expedition to India[br]set sail in 1500 0:08:51.383,0:08:54.033 under the command of[br]Pedro Alvares Cabral. 0:08:54.175,0:08:56.698 Although while traversing 0:08:56.766,0:08:58.891 across the Atlantic Ocean[br]sailed too far West 0:08:58.921,0:09:02.197 and unexpectedly, reached [br]the coast of what is now Brazi. 0:09:02.284,0:09:04.719 Although this discovery[br]may have been unintentional 0:09:04.815,0:09:06.891 some speculation suggests 0:09:06.891,0:09:09.929 the Portuguese may have[br]already been aware of Brazil's existence 0:09:09.929,0:09:12.768 and secretly knew that this part[br]of South America 0:09:12.808,0:09:17.122 fell within their designated territory [br]according to the Treaty of Tordesilhas. 0:09:17.902,0:09:21.584 Cabral recommended[br]to the Portuguese King, Manuel I, 0:09:21.734,0:09:23.411 that the land be settled 0:09:23.411,0:09:27.174 and two follow-up voyages[br]were sent in 1501 and 1503. 0:09:27.984,0:09:30.725 The land was found to be abundant[br]in brazilwood 0:09:30.725,0:09:33.066 from which it later inherited its name 0:09:33.066,0:09:36.441 but the failure to find gold or silver[br]meant that for the time being 0:09:36.741,0:09:39.689 the Portuguese instead decided[br]to concentrate their efforts 0:09:39.749,0:09:41.833 on the invaluable trade out of India. 0:09:42.823,0:09:45.635 As the first decade of the 16th century[br]progressed, 0:09:45.655,0:09:48.721 the Portuguese ventured further[br]into other parts of Asia 0:09:48.771,0:09:51.344 such as Sri Lanka and Indonesia, 0:09:51.374,0:09:54.100 where they discovered the sources [br]of cinnamon and nutmeg. 0:09:54.650,0:09:58.528 So valuable were these commodities[br]that Alfonso de Albuquerque. 0:09:58.528,0:10:01.152 the first appointed Vice-Roy[br]of Portuguese India 0:10:01.202,0:10:04.877 ordered the construction[br]of trading posts and fortifications 0:10:04.927,0:10:07.671 along the 14,000 miles long route, 0:10:07.671,0:10:10.107 stretching from Portugal [br]to the East Indies. 0:10:10.164,0:10:13.620 These served as basis of operations[br]for conducting trade 0:10:13.631,0:10:16.484 and ensured the safeguarding[br]of their valuable cargos 0:10:16.556,0:10:19.617 that were to be transported [br]on the long arduous journey 0:10:19.627,0:10:21.968 back to the markets of Europe. 0:10:22.028,0:10:24.803 Shortly thereafter,[br]the Portuguese trading network 0:10:24.823,0:10:27.909 stretched to cover an area[br]surrounding the coastlines of Africa, 0:10:27.949,0:10:32.693 Arabia, India, Indonesia [br]and even as far as China and Japan. 0:10:34.283,0:10:37.075 Although the Portuguese were[br]primarily motivated 0:10:37.135,0:10:39.576 to establish trade relations[br]through peaceful means 0:10:39.591,0:10:43.897 their arrival into Asia was often met[br]with a fair degree of suspicion 0:10:43.937,0:10:46.264 from local merchants[br]who saw them 0:10:46.294,0:10:49.318 as nothing more than foreign[br]interlopers on their territory. 0:10:49.868,0:10:51.995 Consequently as tensions grew, 0:10:52.055,0:10:54.654 the Portuguese took to enforcing[br]their trading activity 0:10:54.684,0:10:56.643 with the use of force 0:10:56.876,0:10:59.740 Throughout the 16th century[br]numerous conflicts broke out 0:10:59.770,0:11:01.737 across the wider indopacific region, 0:11:01.757,0:11:03.702 as the Portuguese engaged in warfare 0:11:03.702,0:11:06.629 against the numerous[br]sultanates and empires of Asia. 0:11:07.319,0:11:09.463 Often possessing[br]superior military technology 0:11:09.523,0:11:11.048 over their adversaries, 0:11:11.048,0:11:14.982 the Portuguese were largely successful[br]at defending their commercial enterprises 0:11:15.042,0:11:18.489 as well as going on the offensive[br]to capture strategic targets 0:11:18.489,0:11:21.133 that they wish to take for themselves. 0:11:21.213,0:11:23.808 However, it was not just[br]trade and conquest 0:11:23.865,0:11:26.447 that advanced the realms [br]of the Portuguese Empire. 0:11:26.506,0:11:29.041 Religion also had its part to play 0:11:29.251,0:11:33.199 Accompanying the officials, merchants,[br]mariners and soldiers, 0:11:33.239,0:11:35.323 on board the ships leaving Lisbon 0:11:35.418,0:11:38.707 were small numbers [br]of priests and missionaries 0:11:38.747,0:11:40.919 typically belonging to the Jesuit order. 0:11:41.089,0:11:43.404 They had been ordered[br]by the Portuguese monarchy 0:11:43.444,0:11:45.145 to spread the Catholic faith 0:11:45.165,0:11:47.446 amongst the native peoples[br]of Asia and Africa 0:11:47.496,0:11:49.632 who they had come into contact with. 0:11:49.642,0:11:52.085 this policy had mixed successes 0:11:52.085,0:11:54.959 for, though their efforts[br]help towards establishing relations 0:11:55.049,0:11:58.817 and new settlements, such as the port[br]of Nagasaki in Japan, in 1571, 0:11:58.949,0:12:01.649 Elsewhere the priests and missionaries 0:12:01.679,0:12:04.566 spread the word of God[br]through violence and coercion. 0:12:04.839,0:12:07.334 In the case of the Goa,[br]Inquisition for example, 0:12:07.354,0:12:11.231 they heavily persecuted the Hindu[br]population of Portuguese India 0:12:11.314,0:12:13.913 in a bid to convert them [br]to Christianity. 0:12:14.461,0:12:16.796 The early period [br]of the Portuguese Empire 0:12:16.846,0:12:20.069 was concentrated on developing[br]trade across Asia and Africa, 0:12:20.279,0:12:25.318 which were much more lucrative[br]and easily accessible compared to Brazil. 0:12:25.375,0:12:28.011 attitudes towards this quickly changed. 0:12:28.093,0:12:31.506 However, when other European explorers,[br]particularly the French, 0:12:31.506,0:12:34.264 began to develop interests[br]of their own in the territory 0:12:34.264,0:12:37.863 and established a trading post[br]there, in 1531, 0:12:38.243,0:12:39.657 the Portuguese response, 0:12:39.657,0:12:43.639 as decreed by King John III[br]on the 28th of September 1532 0:12:43.919,0:12:46.863 was to deter further [br]French incursions to the region 0:12:46.893,0:12:50.025 by initiating a large-scale[br]colonization program 0:12:50.055,0:12:54.516 that would see the land divided up[br]and ruled by 15 separate captaincies 0:12:54.956,0:12:57.276 with instructions to build settlements, 0:12:57.316,0:12:59.516 grant allotments and administer Justice. 0:12:59.636,0:13:02.531 Each Captain was responsible[br]for developing and absorbing 0:13:02.551,0:13:04.607 the costs of colonization, 0:13:04.607,0:13:07.585 although they were not allowed[br]to own the land outright. 0:13:07.635,0:13:09.631 Despite their best efforts, however, 0:13:09.651,0:13:13.687 only two of the captaincies reached[br]any stage of significant development, 0:13:13.697,0:13:16.175 owing principally to their dedication 0:13:16.175,0:13:18.959 in growing the highly profitable [br]crop of sugar cane. 0:13:19.189,0:13:21.893 This required an enormous amount[br]of labor to produce 0:13:21.903,0:13:25.526 and over time it became exclusively[br]reliant on enslaved Africans 0:13:25.645,0:13:27.236 to work in its fields. 0:13:27.306,0:13:29.967 Such was the scale and importance[br]of the sugar industry 0:13:30.017,0:13:32.476 that of the estimated 4 million Africans 0:13:32.556,0:13:34.569 who were sold into slavery in the Americas 0:13:34.589,0:13:36.635 between the 16th and 19th centuries, 0:13:36.655,0:13:39.343 up to 40% ended up in Brazil. 0:13:39.940,0:13:42.199 The Portuguese presence in South Americ 0:13:42.199,0:13:44.797 began to slowly develop,[br]as time passed, 0:13:44.827,0:13:48.178 with the cities of Bahia, São Paulo[br]and Rio de Janeiro, 0:13:48.251,0:13:50.847 all being founded in the[br]mid-6th century. 0:13:51.647,0:13:55.651 However, a significant change[br]in the progress of the Portuguese Empire 0:13:55.671,0:13:58.733 occurred in 1580, [br]when a succession crisis 0:13:58.843,0:14:02.179 triggered by the untimely death[br]of King Sebastian, two years earlier, 0:14:02.429,0:14:07.212 saw Philip II of Spain invade Portugal[br]and take the throne for himself. 0:14:08.420,0:14:12.311 With that, the two crowns[br]and overseas empires of Spain and Portugal 0:14:12.421,0:14:15.276 were united under the Iberian Union 0:14:15.366,0:14:18.929 although they would continue[br]to be ruled separately and distinctly 0:14:18.979,0:14:20.785 from one another. 0:14:20.950,0:14:23.596 During this time, however, [br]in the late 16th century, 0:14:23.798,0:14:28.067 Spain was at war with England,[br]France and the Netherlands 0:14:28.107,0:14:30.747 and as a result of the union[br]with its Iberian neighbor, 0:14:30.777,0:14:33.767 Portugal quickly found itself [br]embroiled in the wider conflict 0:14:33.767,0:14:35.324 with European rivals 0:14:35.344,0:14:38.860 who were all competing to establish[br]overseas empires of their own. 0:14:38.953,0:14:42.839 The Dutch, in particular, posed[br]the most comprehensive threat to Portugal 0:14:42.918,0:14:44.130 at this time, 0:14:44.130,0:14:46.156 for they had just gained[br]their independence 0:14:46.156,0:14:48.829 from the Spanish Habsbourg monarchy[br]in 1581 0:14:48.839,0:14:51.147 and being adept merchants[br]and maritime explorers 0:14:51.165,0:14:55.208 were keen to participate in the lucrative[br]trade to Asia for themselves. 0:14:55.378,0:14:57.671 These ambitions were also shared[br]by the English 0:14:57.851,0:15:00.738 and both soon learned [br]of the navigational routes 0:15:00.805,0:15:02.725 established by the Portuguese 0:15:02.735,0:15:04.790 that would take them[br]to the spice markets 0:15:04.790,0:15:06.507 of India and Indonesia. 0:15:06.517,0:15:09.051 So much so, by the turn[br]of the 17th century, 0:15:09.141,0:15:13.485 Dutch and English mercantile interests[br]had been established in Asian ports 0:15:13.535,0:15:17.532 such as Surat, Madras, [br]Bantam and Sri Lanka 0:15:17.572,0:15:20.502 much to the dislike of the Portuguese[br]traders in the region. 0:15:21.633,0:15:24.068 Not only did this posed[br]a commercial threat 0:15:24.067,0:15:25.339 to the Portuguese Empire 0:15:25.339,0:15:28.366 with other European merchants[br]now competing for the same trade 0:15:28.386,0:15:30.520 but it also led to colonial conflict 0:15:30.630,0:15:34.157 as the Dutch began to attack [br]Portuguese trading posts and colonies.. 0:15:35.037,0:15:39.830 The Dutch-Portuguese War [br]which was fought from 1598 to 1663 0:15:39.970,0:15:42.672 saw battles rage across the globe 0:15:42.722,0:15:45.512 wherever the colonial interests[br]of the two European powers 0:15:45.542,0:15:46.973 came into contact. 0:15:47.303,0:15:50.403 Although the Portuguese were able[br]to successfully repel the Dutch, 0:15:50.523,0:15:54.383 some areas such as the Second Battle[br]of Guararapes in northeastern Brazil, 0:15:55.375,0:15:57.492 many of their territories in Asia, 0:15:57.552,0:16:00.869 such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka [br]and the Gold Coast of Africa 0:16:00.889,0:16:02.201 were lost. 0:16:02.486,0:16:04.310 The wider fallout from this conflict 0:16:04.390,0:16:07.177 also resulted in further losses[br]for the Portuguese Empire 0:16:07.187,0:16:09.785 around the Persian Gulf and in Japan, 0:16:09.785,0:16:13.824 where local rulers sought to capitalize[br]on the weakened position of the Portuguese 0:16:13.874,0:16:17.132 and expel them[br]from their respective regions. 0:16:17.212,0:16:20.843 The loss of these colonial territories[br]spurred the Portuguese to end 0:16:20.904,0:16:23.094 the personal union[br]with the Spanish monarchy, 0:16:23.124,0:16:26.601 believing they had largely been[br]abandoned by their Iberian neighbor 0:16:26.654,0:16:29.124 who had prioritized [br]their own colonial interests 0:16:29.174,0:16:31.414 at the expense of Portugal's. 0:16:31.684,0:16:35.749 The resulting Portuguese Restoration War[br]which broke out in 1640 0:16:35.802,0:16:38.137 saw John the 4th proclaimed as king 0:16:38.257,0:16:41.088 and the establishment[br]of the Overseas Council 0:16:41.108,0:16:43.868 which was to govern all aspects[br]of the Portuguese Empire 0:16:43.868,0:16:45.641 from that point onward. 0:16:45.711,0:16:49.256 However, as the second half[br]of the 17th century progressed, 0:16:49.306,0:16:52.214 Portugal's colonial might[br]continue to decline 0:16:52.214,0:16:55.756 and other European nations[br]began to fill the power vacuum 0:16:55.768,0:16:57.933 which had had once occupied 0:16:57.983,0:17:00.759 with the English becoming[br]the most dominant power in India 0:17:00.861,0:17:04.030 and the Dutch cementing their control[br]over what is now Indonesia. 0:17:04.999,0:17:07.645 This, for the most part, left only Brazil 0:17:07.645,0:17:10.980 as the remaining territory [br]of significance within the Empire 0:17:10.980,0:17:14.126 and consequently became viewed[br]with increasing importance. 0:17:14.996,0:17:18.548 The interest in developing Brazil[br]was quickly helped in 1693 0:17:18.548,0:17:21.617 by the discoveries of gold[br]and later diamonds 0:17:21.697,0:17:23.529 in the Minas Gerais region, 0:17:23.529,0:17:25.350 which led to a gold rush 0:17:25.350,0:17:28.000 and a large influx of migrants[br]to the territory. 0:17:28.100,0:17:31.353 within four decades,[br]the population of Minas Gerais 0:17:31.393,0:17:35.621 had reached somewhere[br]between 200,000 and 250,000 people 0:17:35.688,0:17:39.062 as migrants from Portugal[br]arrived as prospectors 0:17:39.072,0:17:41.873 and African slaves were brought in[br]to work in the mines. 0:17:42.668,0:17:46.209 The Gold Rush considerably increased[br]the revenue of the Portuguese Crown 0:17:46.258,0:17:48.499 and, by the middle of the 18th century, 0:17:48.539,0:17:51.925 it constituted for some 46%[br]of the exports from Brazil, 0:17:51.925,0:17:56.242 although the sugar industry [br]remained the primary source of wealth. 0:17:57.642,0:17:59.879 Although the Portuguese Empire[br]had regained 0:17:59.899,0:18:02.524 some of its former prestige[br]and wealth by this time, 0:18:02.534,0:18:04.213 a devastating earthquake, 0:18:04.243,0:18:06.902 which struck the capital of Lisbon in 1755 0:18:06.952,0:18:09.166 marked what would ultimately become 0:18:09.166,0:18:12.048 the beginning of the end[br]for Portuguese colonial ambitions- 0:18:12.458,0:18:16.364 The natural disaster not only[br]put a huge financial strain on the Empire, 0:18:16.664,0:18:20.147 but the loss of life, estimated[br]to be somewhere in the region 0:18:20.147,0:18:22.299 of 40 to 60,000 people, 0:18:22.329,0:18:25.304 also significantly diminished [br]the ability of the Portuguese 0:18:25.334,0:18:27.282 to fully recover. 0:18:27.512,0:18:29.686 As the 18th century progressed, 0:18:29.706,0:18:33.217 a wave of Revolution began to sweep[br]across the wider Atlantic region, 0:18:33.363,0:18:36.341 first starting in North America[br]with the 13 colonies 0:18:36.361,0:18:39.330 declaring their independence[br]from Britain in 1775, 0:18:39.330,0:18:43.380 which in turn inspired[br]the French Revolution of 1789. 0:18:44.400,0:18:47.925 The Portuguese Empire soon began[br]to experience this phenomenon for itself 0:18:48.017,0:18:52.380 with the air of dissension finding its way[br]to their largest colony of Brazil. 0:18:54.173,0:18:57.663 Despite being initially confined[br]to localized slave revolts 0:18:57.663,0:18:59.342 that were quickly suppressed 0:18:59.342,0:19:02.442 there was a growing sentiment[br]within the South American territory 0:19:02.442,0:19:04.312 that it should embark[br]on its own journey 0:19:04.312,0:19:07.572 towards self-determination[br]outside of colonial rule. 0:19:07.902,0:19:11.272 The year 1808 would mark [br]a significant step in this direction 0:19:11.322,0:19:15.607 when the Portuguese royal family[br]led by the prince regent John VI 0:19:15.787,0:19:17.567 decided to flee Lisbon 0:19:17.587,0:19:20.261 in response to Napoleon Bonaparte[br]invasion of Portugal 0:19:20.301,0:19:22.778 and relocate the Royal Court to Brazil . 0:19:23.008,0:19:25.121 Seven years later, in 1815, 0:19:25.171,0:19:28.658 Brazil itself was elevated[br]to the state of a kingdom 0:19:28.688,0:19:32.651 within the wider United Kingdom[br]of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, 0:19:32.651,0:19:34.779 and witnessed to the unprecedented honor 0:19:34.779,0:19:36.908 of having the capital moved from Lisbon 0:19:36.908,0:19:38.941 to its own city of Rio de Janeiro. 0:19:39.031,0:19:42.093 This further emboldened sentiment [br]within Brazil for independence 0:19:42.113,0:19:45.174 and within a year of the royal family[br]returning to Portugal, 0:19:45.244,0:19:48.689 the fourth son of John VI, Don Pedro I, 0:19:48.729,0:19:50.762 who had remained behind in Rio, 0:19:50.782,0:19:53.584 saw the chance to capitalize[br]upon the opportunity 0:19:53.584,0:19:55.732 to declare himself as emperor 0:19:55.742,0:19:58.698 of a newly independent[br]Empire of Brazil in 1822. 0:19:59.988,0:20:03.006 This left the Portuguese Empire[br]a shadow of its former self 0:20:03.016,0:20:05.615 now comprising only [br]of a few outposts in Asia 0:20:05.645,0:20:09.334 and the territories of Angola[br]and Mozambique, in Africa. 0:20:09.644,0:20:11.984 For the remainder of the 19th century, 0:20:12.056,0:20:15.732 the efforts of the Portuguese to retain[br]what little remain of their empire 0:20:15.802,0:20:17.985 were focused on southern Africa 0:20:18.025,0:20:20.686 and a proposal was soon made[br]to connect the two colonies 0:20:20.686,0:20:23.126 on either side of the continent[br]with one another 0:20:23.136,0:20:25.023 by expanding across the hinterland. 0:20:25.233,0:20:28.101 This project known as the "Pink Map" 0:20:28.131,0:20:30.569 was highly unpalatable to the British 0:20:30.569,0:20:33.513 who had become the world's [br]most powerful Empire by this point 0:20:33.593,0:20:35.930 for it directly affronted their own policy 0:20:35.960,0:20:38.318 for a connected system[br]of colonies across Africa 0:20:38.318,0:20:40.938 that was to stretch[br]from Cairo to Cape Town. 0:20:40.958,0:20:44.007 The British delivered an ultimatum[br]to the Portuguese in 1890 0:20:44.087,0:20:46.094 to end the "Pink Map" policy, 0:20:46.144,0:20:48.125 which subsequently brought any hint 0:20:48.125,0:20:51.089 of reviving Portuguese[br]colonial ambition to an end. 0:20:51.149,0:20:54.306 Having been humiliated [br]on the world stage in such a manner, 0:20:54.326,0:20:55.578 exposed the weakness 0:20:55.578,0:20:57.510 of the Portuguese government[br]in monarchy 0:20:57.530,0:21:01.381 which played into the hands of a growing[br]Republican movement within the country. 0:21:01.391,0:21:03.877 Sensing an opportunity[br]to further their cause, 0:21:03.897,0:21:05.800 on the 1st of February 1908, 0:21:05.850,0:21:09.596 King Carlos and Prince Louis Philipe[br]were assassinated in Lisbon 0:21:09.636,0:21:11.984 by two revolutionary Republican activists. 0:21:12.394,0:21:15.393 Although King Manuel II [br]immediately succeeded the throne, 0:21:15.493,0:21:19.366 he too had to flee the country[br]just 2 years later in 1910, 0:21:19.426,0:21:22.168 when the monarchy and government[br]were overthrown entirely 0:21:22.199,0:21:25.130 and Portugal was declared a Republic. 0:21:25.330,0:21:28.186 The continuing weakening position[br]of the Portuguese Empire 0:21:28.306,0:21:32.489 was exploited further by the outbreak[br]of the I World War in 1914. 0:21:32.949,0:21:34.990 The German Empire planned to expand 0:21:34.990,0:21:37.211 its own dominions[br]and influence in Africa 0:21:37.211,0:21:39.691 at the expense of the neighboring[br]Portuguese colonies 0:21:39.691,0:21:41.321 of Angola and Mozambique. 0:21:41.341,0:21:44.251 As there was only sporadic[br]skirmishing in the region at first, 0:21:44.336,0:21:48.448 Portugal did not formerly declare war[br]against Germany until 1916 0:21:48.498,0:21:51.034 but from that point on[br]much of the war effort 0:21:51.034,0:21:54.172 was fought in supplying the Allies[br]fighting in France 0:21:54.354,0:21:56.645 and neglected to defend[br]its African colonies 0:21:56.675,0:21:58.637 from further German attacks. 0:21:58.649,0:22:02.221 As the war came to an end, in 1918,[br]with the Treaty of Versailles, however, 0:22:02.471,0:22:06.198 Portugal was able to regain control [br]of all its lost territory. 0:22:06.897,0:22:10.205 The interwar years bore witness[br]to another coup in Portugal, 0:22:10.280,0:22:12.836 this time replacing the unstable[br]Republican government 0:22:12.856,0:22:17.369 with a more right-wing regime[br]called the "Estado Novo" in 1933. 0:22:18.118,0:22:20.799 The new administration[br]chose to remain neutral 0:22:20.829,0:22:22.311 during the II World War 0:22:22.311,0:22:25.512 and instead preserve what remained[br]of its overseas Empire. 0:22:25.932,0:22:29.247 By the war's conclusion however[br]there was a growing shift in attitudes 0:22:29.317,0:22:31.400 towards European imperialism 0:22:31.410,0:22:35.042 and calls for decolonization[br]began to grow louder around the world. 0:22:35.312,0:22:37.018 The efforts of Britain and France 0:22:37.018,0:22:39.858 in granting independence[br]of the colonies under their control 0:22:39.868,0:22:42.210 put great pressure on Portugal[br]to do the same, 0:22:42.210,0:22:44.644 although it remained reluctant to do so. 0:22:45.084,0:22:48.141 The establishment of Indian[br]independence from Britain in 1947 0:22:48.181,0:22:50.609 created a flash point on this issue. 0:22:50.609,0:22:53.433 As the Portuguese enclaves [br]of Goa, Damon and Diu 0:22:53.533,0:22:56.360 were not permitted to join the newly[br]independent state, 0:22:56.560,0:23:00.264 the Indian army was eventually[br]ordered into the territories, in 1961. 0:23:00.809,0:23:04.531 But Portugal, under the dictatorship[br]of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, 0:23:04.653,0:23:08.166 continually refused to acknowledge[br]their incorporation into India. 0:23:09.515,0:23:12.803 Further reluctance to grant independence[br]of their colonies in Africa 0:23:12.816,0:23:15.282 resulted in the Portuguese Colonial War 0:23:15.382,0:23:17.855 which was fought from 1961 to 1974. 0:23:17.875,0:23:20.671 Many African Independence Movements 0:23:20.701,0:23:22.934 received support from the Soviet Union 0:23:22.984,0:23:25.362 as part of the wider Cold War[br]during this time 0:23:25.362,0:23:29.001 and as a result guerilla warfare[br]soon became widespread 0:23:29.051,0:23:31.632 across Portugal's African colonies. 0:23:31.702,0:23:34.650 The growing cost and unpopularity[br]of the war at home, however, 0:23:34.660,0:23:38.741 saw another military coup[br]carried out against the Estado Novo regime 0:23:38.833,0:23:41.405 in what became known [br]as the "Carnation Revolution" 0:23:41.425,0:23:44.011 on the 25th of April 1974. 0:23:44.471,0:23:47.547 The new government quickly ended[br]the hostilities overseas 0:23:47.547,0:23:49.578 and began withdrawing its troops 0:23:49.588,0:23:52.829 to start the process of recognizing[br]the independence of its colonies. 0:23:53.079,0:23:56.784 Angola and Mozambique[br]declared an independence in 1975 0:23:56.794,0:23:58.582 as did East Timor. 0:23:58.592,0:24:02.926 And the Portuguese government also finally[br]recognized its former colonies in India 0:24:02.966,0:24:05.208 as now being part of the Indian State. 0:24:05.538,0:24:08.089 The final piece of the Portuguese[br]overseas territory 0:24:08.129,0:24:11.624 to undergo a transfer of sovereignty[br]was that of Macau, 0:24:13.762,0:24:16.402 which was handed over[br]to the People's Republic of China 0:24:16.402,0:24:18.781 on the 20th of December 1999 0:24:18.821,0:24:22.055 and officially marked the end [br]of the Portuguese. 0:24:22.835,0:24:27.202 With that, one of the longest lived[br]maritime and commercial empires in History 0:24:27.252,0:24:28.871 came to an end. 0:24:28.901,0:24:31.340 Although the territories [br]of the Azores and Madeira 0:24:31.380,0:24:34.005 are now governed as [br]autonomous regions of Portugal, 0:24:34.045,0:24:36.663 the legacy [br]of the Portuguese Empire lives on, 0:24:36.691,0:24:39.145 with the Portuguese language[br]continuing to be spoken 0:24:39.227,0:24:42.268 by some 250 million people[br]around the world 0:24:42.428,0:24:44.224 and, perhaps most importantly, 0:24:44.234,0:24:47.559 the sea roots that were established[br]by those early maritime explorers 0:24:47.609,0:24:51.572 continue to carry the world's trade[br]over 5 centuries on.