Spain vs Portugal

European Exploration• New Technology (Portugal made use of)• Unification of Catholic Spain (1469 + 1492)• Expanding Trade– Europeans search for alternate routes to trade with

Africa, India, China• Overland route to China blocked by Ottoman Turks in 1453

– Travel around Africa (Portugal) South Africa in 1488» Faster route? = Columbus

• Developing Nation-States– Growing Monarchies are dependent on trade for

power b/c of:• MERCANTILISM

Early Exploration• Spain

– Neck and neck with Portugal (Treaty of Tordesillas 1494)• Portugal got Brazil, Africa and Asia• Spain got most of North and South America

– Richest and most powerful European nation• Increase gold supply over 500%, then encomienda

– South, Central America and SW of North= “New Spain”• Claim to the first permanent European colony in North

America– St. Augustine (well…b/c they slaughter the Huguenots there)

• Portugal– Another Italian – Amerigo Vespucci- sailed on an expedition under

the Portuguese flag• Called North and South America “The New World”

– Brazil