Portuguese Empire circa 1500
What Places do you see on this map?What explorers were important in accomplishing this?
Greatest Extent of Portuguese Influence
“The Indian Ocean was Portuguese Lake.”
1580: Phillip II of Spain invades Portugal.
The Netherlands were Spanish Hapsburg Possessions until 1568
William of Orange (William the Silent) leads a revolt of Dutch Protestants against Phillip II and the Catholic Spanish in 1568.
1579: The United Provinces (Northern Netherlands) declare independence from Spain.
The Southern Netherlands were mostly Catholic and stayed with Spain.
1584: William is assassinated.
1648: Dutch independence is recognized by Spain.
1602: Dutch East India Company is founded.
Dutch traders have their own currency and flag.
Come only to trade, not to proselytize (spread religion).
Dark Green: Dutch Colonial Possessions (Suriname, Manhattan, Dutch Brazil, little bits of Africa)
Light Green: Dutch East India Company Trading Posts (Cape Colony, Ceylon – Sri Lanka, South India, Indonesia, Nagasaki)
Greatest extent of French Influence. Quebec until 1763 Louisiana until 1803. Haiti until 1804. Eastern Hemisphere Colonies to mid 1900s.
Greatest Extent of British Empire.
