Portugal

 Portugal

Portugal is apparently the world’s longest active nation state; its borders have barely changed since 1297. [1] Portugal was a notable kingdom during the Middle Ages; it was a major player in Europe and throughout the rest of the world during this time. Portugal was notable for its trading, particularly of slaves, spices, and wood. Portugal’s colonies were throughout the world; however, they were particularly well noted in the Pacific Islands and in Brazil (which still speaks Portuguese to this day). Portugal was a notable nation-state and the first nation-state in the world; it was founded in 1297. Portugal was a notable power player throughout the world during the medieval to renaissance age: Portugal was an influential kingdom, a large trade player, and finally had large colonial holdings throughout the world.

Portugal was known for its king and leader, in particular, John II. John II married Queen Isabella and afterward had to convert or kick out all of the Jews in Portugal. Most of these Jews who converted went to Holland; the rest left for other places. The former Jews who went to Holland took their knowledge of trade with them. Starting in 1415, the Portuguese began building their colonial empire by invading the Muslim port of Morocco. [2] Portugal had approximately 1 million people living in Portugal at the beginning of the 15th century. [3] Portugal was starting to become a notable kingdom during the 15th century; however, its main strength was trade.

Portugal was a moderately sized European empire during the Middle Ages; it was notable for its trading and numerous/ large colonies. Portugal was notable for its trade from the 14th to the 18th centuries; this time period was its peak.  Portugal was notable for trading in spices (16th century), slaves (15th-19th centuries), and wood (15th-19th centuries). Portugal traded in spices; at one point, spices were as valuable as gold. Spices were mainly found in the Pacific Ocean Islands; Portugal created a massive trade operation based on spices for this reason. Portugal was also a main player in African colonies; Portugal traded heavily in slaves that were bound for the Americas. The final good that Portugal traded a lot in was wood; Portugal held colonies that had abundant wood, so they sold some wood to places like Europe - Europe had long ago chopped most of its forests down. Finally, Portugal was known for its colonies.

Portugal had large colonial holdings in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central America, South America, and even some on the Australian continent. Portugal’s main colonial holdings included: Brazil, parts of eastern Africa, and parts of southeast Asia. Portugal got wood, gold, silver, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco from its Brazil colony. Portugal got slaves, naval bases, trade, and gold from its African colonies. Portugal got spices and trade mainly from its Asian colonies. Portugal became a wealthy trading state in the Middle Ages.

Portugal was a leading developer of the world that peaked in the 15th-17th centuries. Portugal was a key exporter of spices, wood, and slaves. Portugal still holds enormous influence over Brazil; in Brazil today, they still mainly speak Portuguese.  Portugal contributed to the anti- Jew world, contributed towards slavery; however, it made key discoveries of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the New World; this opened the world and added to Portugal’s legacy.  Portugal was a partial operator that twisted the world's axis and changed what was possible. Portugal left a lasting impact on global affairs.

This is an analysis of Portugal, mainly based on the book Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire. Portugal was mainly a colonial empire that settled large parts of South America, Africa, Central America, and Asia. Portugal was mainly a trade and colonial-focused empire.

Chicago Citations:

Crowley, Roger. Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire. New York: Random House, 2015.

“Portugal: Culture and History.” Working Abroad. Accessed March 28, 2026. https://www.workingabroad.com/travel/portugal-culture-and-history/.

“Portugal: History.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Last modified March 11, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/place/Portugal/History

[1] “Portugal: Culture and History,” Working Abroad, accessed March 28, 2026, https://www.workingabroad.com/travel/portugal-culture-and-history/.

[2] Roger Crowley, Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire (New York: Random House, 2015), 3.

[3] Ibid 3.