GRANDES NAVEGAÇÕES

Summary

This video script explores the origins of globalization, tracing it back to the 15th and 16th centuries with the European maritime expansion. The narrative covers pivotal events like the Crusades, the role of Italian merchants, and Portugal’s maritime ventures under leaders like Vasco da Gama. It also discusses Christopher Columbus’ westward journey, leading to the 'discovery' of the Americas and the resulting territorial disputes between Spain and Portugal, resolved by the Treaty of Tordesillas. The video challenges the Eurocentric notion of 'discovery' and sets the stage for the early stages of colonization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Globalization is an old concept that dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, starting with European maritime expansion.
• 😀 The European maritime expansion, beginning in the 15th century, standardized various systems such as the calendar and time counting.
• 😀 The Crusades, especially the Fourth Crusade, played a crucial role in establishing trade routes and relationships between Europe and the East.
• 😀 Italian merchants, particularly from Genoa and Venice, monopolized trade between Europe and the East, trading valuable goods such as spices, silk, and ivory.
• 😀 The Iberian Peninsula experienced territorial changes due to the Christian struggle against Muslim occupation, eventually leading to the formation of Portugal and Spain.
• 😀 Portugal became the first modern national state in 1138, establishing a monarchy with centralized governance.
• 😀 In 1385, Portugal's maritime expansion was triggered by the desire to break Italian monopolies on trade with the East.
• 😀 Portuguese explorers, led by figures like Vasco da Gama, navigated new sea routes, reaching India in 1498, bypassing the Mediterranean route.
• 😀 Christopher Columbus proposed a westward route to the East, which led to his accidental discovery of the Caribbean in 1492.
• 😀 The Pope mediated a division of the newly discovered territories between Spain and Portugal, known as the Bull Inter Coetera, leading to the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.
• 😀 The arrival of Columbus and the subsequent colonization efforts paved the way for European domination of newly discovered lands, particularly in the Americas.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the term 'globalization' as discussed in the script?

The script highlights that 'globalization' is not a new concept, as it can be traced back to the 15th and 16th centuries, beginning with European maritime expansion. The term 'globalized world' is considered redundant, as the process of global interconnectedness started long ago, particularly through the spread of European culture, trade, and influence.

What was the role of the Crusades in initiating European maritime expansion?

The Crusades played a crucial role in opening new connections between Europe and the East. The movement of people and goods during the Crusades, especially the Fourth Crusade, helped establish strong trade routes, particularly through Italian merchants, who became key players in the Mediterranean trade network.

How did the Fourth Crusade impact the trade dynamics between Europe and the East?

The Fourth Crusade led to the sacking of Constantinople and resulted in the enrichment of Italian merchants, particularly from Genoa and Venice. This event shifted the Mediterranean trade balance, as these cities gained control over trade routes between Europe and the East, establishing a monopoly on the lucrative spice trade.

Why did Portugal emerge as a pioneer in maritime expansion?

Portugal's emergence as a pioneer in maritime exploration was due to a combination of factors, including the country's independence from Castile, a strong monarchy, and the Avis Revolution of 1385, which placed a government supported by the bourgeoisie in power. This allowed Portugal to focus on maritime expansion to access Eastern markets.

What was the role of Prince Henry the Navigator in Portuguese exploration?

Prince Henry the Navigator was instrumental in initiating Portugal's maritime expansion. He provided the leadership and resources necessary for Portuguese explorers to venture into unknown territories, aiming to establish direct routes to Eastern markets and bypass the monopolies of Italian merchants.

How did the Portuguese finally reach India, and why was this significant?

The Portuguese reached India in 1498, led by Vasco da Gama. This was a significant milestone as it opened up direct trade routes to Asia, enabling Portugal to bypass the traditional Mediterranean routes controlled by the Italians and claim their share of the highly profitable spice trade.

What was Christopher Columbus's alternative route to reach the East, and what went wrong?

Christopher Columbus proposed sailing westward to reach the East, believing that the Earth was round and that by sailing west, he could eventually reach Asia. However, he did not know about the existence of the American continent and miscalculated the Earth's size, leading to his accidental discovery of the Caribbean, which he mistakenly thought was the East.

How did Columbus's discovery impact the rivalry between Spain and Portugal?

Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean in 1492 sparked a rivalry between Spain and Portugal. The two countries sought to claim control over newly discovered lands, leading to the intervention of the Pope, who helped divide the world between them using the Bull Inter Coetera, later adjusted by the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas, and how did it affect the division of territories between Spain and Portugal?

The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe. The treaty moved the dividing line set by the Pope in 1493 further west, allowing Portugal to claim a portion of the Americas that Columbus had discovered, thus minimizing conflict between the two countries over territorial claims.

Why is the term 'discovery' considered problematic in the context of Columbus's arrival in the Americas?

The term 'discovery' is considered problematic because it implies that the lands were unknown or uninhabited, which was not the case. Indigenous peoples had lived in the Americas for thousands of years. The term is seen as Eurocentric and reflects a biased historical narrative that ignores the existence of other civilizations.