This paper examines Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Dutch explorers and how and why the different groups acted the way they did in the areas they were exploring. Though all parties were European, each have different cultures and backgrounds. This directly affects their interactions in foreign countries. The Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Dutch were all unique in their oversea doings, each group acting and reacting in different ways for different reasons than their neighboring explorers.
In c. 1419, the Portuguese began exploring the western coast of Africa, gradually working their way down. Even though the spice trade was already in full bloom, it was not an interest of the Portuguese until the 1480’s. Up until that point, Portugal’s …show more content…
The Moors viewed their own religion to the same degree as the Portuguese did theirs, thus Portugal’s constant pressure of conversion created a toxic environment from the very first meeting. The moment Gama’s crewmember replied, “We have come to seek Christians and spices,” he doomed any chance for a successful expedition. As tensions grew violence ensued and vengeance was sought out by both sides. This eventually resulted in the Portuguese massacring any man, women or child that did not submit themselves to them. Had the Portuguese not pursued religious conversion and been purely after trade, there would have likely been no battling with the Moors, as they had many peaceful exchanges from other nations prior to the Portuguese. The Moors were so firm in their religious beliefs that war would have inevitably been the only outcome as long as Portugal continued to purse religious conversion, which they did. The Portuguese set out to obtain gold, to spread Christianity and to trade spices, while their rampages may not have spread Christianity as they intended, it certainly gained them the gold and
In c. 1419, the Portuguese began exploring the western coast of Africa, gradually working their way down. Even though the spice trade was already in full bloom, it was not an interest of the Portuguese until the 1480’s. Up until that point, Portugal’s …show more content…
The Moors viewed their own religion to the same degree as the Portuguese did theirs, thus Portugal’s constant pressure of conversion created a toxic environment from the very first meeting. The moment Gama’s crewmember replied, “We have come to seek Christians and spices,” he doomed any chance for a successful expedition. As tensions grew violence ensued and vengeance was sought out by both sides. This eventually resulted in the Portuguese massacring any man, women or child that did not submit themselves to them. Had the Portuguese not pursued religious conversion and been purely after trade, there would have likely been no battling with the Moors, as they had many peaceful exchanges from other nations prior to the Portuguese. The Moors were so firm in their religious beliefs that war would have inevitably been the only outcome as long as Portugal continued to purse religious conversion, which they did. The Portuguese set out to obtain gold, to spread Christianity and to trade spices, while their rampages may not have spread Christianity as they intended, it certainly gained them the gold and