The Portuguese government’s three goals for returning to the eastern African coast were to establish trading posts, to spread Christianity, and to gain a monopoly on the lucrative spice trade. The result of these goals was the establishment of a network of trading posts along the eastern African coast and the development of a complex trading network that included both African and European merchants. The Portuguese were also able to gain a monopoly on the spice trade, allowing them to control the prices and supply of spices. This monopoly allowed the Portuguese to become one of the most powerful traders in the world.