the economic history of portugal histoire economique a professeur jean-christian lambelet assistante...

The Economic History of Portugal

Histoire Economique A

Professeur Jean-Christian LambeletAssistante Ana Cristina Molina

Gustav Dax

Lisa Pachinger

Sebastian Trischak

HEC Lausanne Histoire Economique A – The Economic History of Portugal 29 Avril 2003

Historical Overview

• Economic and Social conditions Portuguese forced to turn to the sea Portugal’s slave trading

• Creation of Portugal Muslims Reconquista Interests of church and state closely linked

• Independence from Castile Battle of Aljubarotta Treaty of Windsor King João I

History Navigation Shipbuilding Impacts Conclusion


Historical Overview

• Political factors in the Rise of Portugal King João I – a new dynasty Political and social unity

• Henry the Navigator Promoting and financing overseas explorations Reconquista - carried on to their homeland

Economic motives - gold and spices



• Beginning of Portugal’s maritime expansion Ceuta’s acquisition Ceuta’s market Straits of Gibraltar

• First Atlantic Islands Madeira in 1425 Azores in 1427

Industry - cane plantations and sugar mills

Historical Overview



Medieval Navigation

• Navigation tools– Cartography

– Compass

– Astrolabe

– Speed of a ship

– Sand hourglass

• Navigation problems– Astrolabe

– Measuring longitude



Cartography

• Claudius Ptolemaeus: "Geographica"

• Maps of faith

• Invention of the printing press

• Portolans

• 1506: Longitude

• Gerhard Mercator: isogonic cylindrical projection



Compass


• 1st century: Chinese

• 1269: Experiments

• 1500: Commonplace tool

• Variation: true vs. magnetic north


Astrolabe

• Arrived in Spain between 1000 and 1500

• Basic astronomical tool

• 1473: determine latitude accurately

• Height of the North Star



Quadrant


• Common instrument in latitude determination process

• ¼ circle

• 0-90° marked on edge

• Plumb line


Speed of a ship

• Log

• Logline

• Expression: Knots

• Speed between 4 and 8 knots per day



Sand hourglass


• Only reliable time

• Measurement on board a vessel


Navigation Problems: Astrolabe

• Farther north: higher North Star in sky

• Farther south: lower North Star in sky

• North Star disappeared at the equator

• Measurement of mid-day sun



Navigation Problems: Measuring Longitude

• Dead-reckoning: log, sand glass, compass

• Traverse board: zigzag plotting

• Longitude: east-west distance travelled

• Maps inaccurate in the 16th century

• E.g.: East-west length of the Mediterranean erred by 19° = 1,100 miles!



Reasons for the Development of Seapower

• Geographic position

• Physical conformation

• Extent of territory

• Number of population

• Character of the people

• Character of the government



Different Ship Types during 14th-16th Century

• Portuguese ships:

– Barinel

– Caravel

– Carrack

• Chinese ships:

– Junk



Junk

• junk → junco → djong → ship

• high sterned, flat-bottomed

• axled rudder

• up to five masts with square mounted sails

• sails consisting of panels of linen or matting flattened by bamboo strips

• up to 13 watertight compartments

• maximum capacity: up to 1,500 tons



Caravel

• about 30 meters long

• maximum capacity: 130 tons

• axled rudder

• early versions: 2-3 masts, lateen rigged sails, clinker style hull

• later versions: 4 masts, square rigged sails, streamlined hull

• examples: Nina and Pinta



Carrack

• mizzen mast with triangular lateen sail placed toward stern of vessel

• small square-rigged mast placed to fore of main mast

• massive ribbed skeleton

• 2-3 decks, enclosed structures at bow and stern

• sternpost rudder

• maximum capacity: 1,000 tons

• Example: Santa Maria



Shipbuilding technology

Portugal China

• Ship size x

• Capacity x

• Compartmentation x

• Masts and sails x

• Rudders x x

• Wind and sea currents x

• Celestial navigation x

• Military technology x x



The Fall of Chinese Seapower

• Seven epic naval expeditions from 1405 to 1433

• One century later it was forbidden to go to sea with a multi-masted ship

• Reasons for this shift:

– Centralization

– Internal court policy

– Maritime threats considered secondary



Portugal and West Africa

• Southward Expansion 1434 – Caravels Cape Verde Islands in 1454-55 Gambia region in 1446 Sierra Leone in 1460

• 1470s Exploration Gold Coast Fernando Po, Principé, and Sâo Tomé

• Treaty of Alcaçovas West African ‘Guinea’ trade monopoly Fortress at São Jorge da Mina




Portugal and Asia

• Vasco da Gama sailed around South Africa - Calicut Casa da India Antwerp – silver & copper

• Portuguese spice trade

• First European sea-battle in the Indian Ocean control over the Indian Ocean routs – spices 1509 – Goa-Diu

• Strategic locations captured Goa – Malabar Coast & western Indian Ocean Malacca – access to East Indies Hormus – entrance to the Persian Gulf

pepper; 85%

ginger; 6%

cinnamon; 2%

other; 7%


Thank you for your attention!


the economic history of portugal histoire economique a professeur jean-christian lambelet assistante...

Documents

historical overview

magnetic north slide

rise of portugal king

edge plumb line slide

knots speed

longitude gerhard mercator

new dynasty political

social unity henry