By the fifteen century with the New World the beginning of the European expansion was impending since the need for commercial power was bigger as the time passed; so they started a process of expansion were the two major oversees countries were Spain and Portugal. According to Robert Edgar, Neil Hackett, George Jewsbury, Barbara Molony and Matthew Gordon the power of Portugal and Spain did not last long because “Portugal lacked the manpower and resources required by an empire spread over three continents. Spain wasted its new wealth in waging continuous wars while neglecting to develop its own economy”. There are three main points that we have to cover in this paper to explain the Portuguese Golden Age as well as the Spain Golden age. Portugal
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During the Iberian Golden Age Portugal develop many technology and tactics to travel the sea which was a major achievement in the history of navigation. One of those achievement was the astrolabe which is “an instrument used in navigation for calculating latitude” (Civilization Past and Present, 128).They also invented the cartography and the portolan chart, that made possible to plot courses across seas and “(…) provide a glimpse into the practical world of sea travel” (Pflederer, 21). The Portuguese were very advance in naval technologies, they invented compasses, they were very advance in ship construction; they had the lateen sail that is “(…) a triangular sail that is set at a 45-degree angle to the mast and takes advantage of winds coming for oblique angles” (civilization past and present, 128).In addition to their technological advantages the Portuguese adopted a galleon that is a fast ship that gave them a better way to sail close to the …show more content…
What stared the Portugal trade between West Africa and Portuguese were the slaves, gold, ivory and pepper; and slave trade. The motives behind the Portuguese exploration in West African Coast many be considered under three bread headings, namely, the commercial motive, the crusading spirit and the scientific enquiry (Portuguese Activity in west Africa). Also, in his article Professor Ijoma said that “there was also the desire to discover a maritime route to the markets of the far East which would not be under the control of the Muslim powers”. The pass of Portugal in West Africa gave to Portugal more power over other nations, since he had new maritime routes and was controlling African gold, and had a major sale
During the Iberian Golden Age Portugal develop many technology and tactics to travel the sea which was a major achievement in the history of navigation. One of those achievement was the astrolabe which is “an instrument used in navigation for calculating latitude” (Civilization Past and Present, 128).They also invented the cartography and the portolan chart, that made possible to plot courses across seas and “(…) provide a glimpse into the practical world of sea travel” (Pflederer, 21). The Portuguese were very advance in naval technologies, they invented compasses, they were very advance in ship construction; they had the lateen sail that is “(…) a triangular sail that is set at a 45-degree angle to the mast and takes advantage of winds coming for oblique angles” (civilization past and present, 128).In addition to their technological advantages the Portuguese adopted a galleon that is a fast ship that gave them a better way to sail close to the …show more content…
What stared the Portugal trade between West Africa and Portuguese were the slaves, gold, ivory and pepper; and slave trade. The motives behind the Portuguese exploration in West African Coast many be considered under three bread headings, namely, the commercial motive, the crusading spirit and the scientific enquiry (Portuguese Activity in west Africa). Also, in his article Professor Ijoma said that “there was also the desire to discover a maritime route to the markets of the far East which would not be under the control of the Muslim powers”. The pass of Portugal in West Africa gave to Portugal more power over other nations, since he had new maritime routes and was controlling African gold, and had a major sale