Question

Did the portuguese establish their trade network peacefully?​

Answer 1

The Portuguese did not establish their trade network peacefully in all cases. While there were some instances of peaceful trade and exchange, the Portuguese were also known for using force and violence to establish their trade networks and control access to key trade routes.

For example, in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Portuguese established a trade network along the west coast of Africa, including in regions such as modern-day Ghana, Senegal, and Angola. In some cases, they traded peacefully with local rulers and merchants, exchanging goods such as gold, ivory, and slaves for European manufactured goods. However, they also established forts and engaged in military conflicts with local groups in order to gain control of key trading ports and resources.

Similarly, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Portuguese established a trade network in the Indian Ocean, including in regions such as Goa, Malacca, and Macau. Here, they engaged in both peaceful trade and violent conflict with local rulers and traders, often using military force to establish and maintain their control over trade routes and key ports.

Answer 2

The Portuguese did not establish their trade network peacefully. They used a combination of diplomacy, military force, and economic coercion to establish their trading posts and forts around the world.

In the early 15th century, the Portuguese began to explore the coast of Africa in search of a sea route to India. They were motivated by the desire to find new sources of gold and spices, and to break the Arab monopoly on trade with the East.

The Portuguese were successful in establishing a trade network that stretched from West Africa to India. They built forts and trading posts along the coast, and they used their military power to protect their interests. They also used economic coercion, such as imposing high tariffs on goods that were not Portuguese, to force local rulers to trade with them.

The Portuguese trade network was a major source of wealth for Portugal. It also helped to spread Portuguese culture and language to other parts of the world. However, it was also a source of conflict and violence. The Portuguese often clashed with local rulers and populations, and their trade network was based on exploitation and inequality.