5 The first voyages The Portuguese gradually advanced with their mission . (11) In the first third of the 15th centur y, they conquered Ceuta (1415) and reached the islands of Madeira (1419) and the Azores (1431). These islands provided resting places for subsequent voyages to the African coast. The Portuguese sailors navigated Cape Bojador (1434), occupied Cape Verde (1446) and entered the Gulf of Guinea (1460). In 1482, Diogo Cão arrived at the mouth of the Congo River. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias reached the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa . This opened a route to the Indian Ocean . On these voyages, water and food became scarce and sanitar y and hygiene conditions on board worsened . The fear of dying at sea was always present due to shipwrecks caused by storms and attacks by pirates. Arrival in India and Brazil In 1497, a f leet under the command of Vasco da Gama set sail from Lisbon . Ten months later, it reached India (12) and the Portuguese mission was completed . Portugal had therefore strengthened its presence in the Indian Ocean . (13) In 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived in Brazil when his f leet sailed too far from Africa during a new voyage to India . Portugal had now created a maritime empire. To defend the empire, coastal trading posts were created . These controlled trade and guaranteed supplies for Portuguese ships. Explain why Portugal embarked on expeditions in the 15th century. Analyse the role Sagres and Henry the Navigator played in these missions. List the main achievements of the Portuguese voyages during this period. Analyse the importance of the arrival in India for Portugal. K E Y Q U E S T I O N S WORK WITH THE IMAGE Locate the present-day territory of India on the map from the Miller Atlas. What features have been drawn on the map? Explain why they were added. COMMUNICATION Investigate and briefly explain how Portugal arrived in Brazil. 12. The arrival of Vasco da Gama in India illustrated on a tapestry made in the 16th century 13. A section of the Miller Atlas made in around 1519. It shows the northern part of the Indian Ocean. 133
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