The Portuguese Empire; establishment, world-making, demise and legacies

This online course offers a comprehensive journey through the rise and fall of the Portuguese Empire. You will uncover the history of pioneering navigation, delve into the establishment and characteristics of colonial societies in Brazil, Africa, and Asia, and explore their economies, vibrant cultures, independence struggles, and lasting legacies.

What is the course about?

This course invites students to critically examine the complex narrative of the Portuguese Empire pioneering navigation and ambitious exploration, to its zenith as a global power, shaping the world through trade, cultural exchange, and colonization. Venturing beyond traditional glorification, the course delves into the empire's origins rooted in pioneering navigation and exploitative colonial practices. Delving into the multifaceted dynamics of Portuguese colonialism in Brazil, Africa, and Asia, students will unravel the complexities of colonial society, vibrant economies driven by cash crops and mining, the interplay of indigenous cultures and European influences, the significance of key treaties and political maneuvers, the intertwined roles of the Company of Jesus and Catholicism, and the profound impact of the trade of enslaved people.

By examining the enduring legacies of Portuguese imperialism, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the empire's profound and lasting influence, both on the territories it once ruled and on the broader global stage.

Dr. Ingrid Aguiar Schlindwein holds a Joint International Relations PhD from King's College London and the University of São Paulo. Her focus is on international political economy, international organisations and international financial institutions. In her doctoral research she explored the role of major middle-income emerging Countries in the World Bank’s strategies, with a focus on the institution’s knowledge power. She has been teaching seminars for undergraduate students at King's College London on topics related to history, and introduction to economics, political science, and sociology. Prior to coming to the United Kingdom, she worked as an International Development Cooperation analyst in the public sector in Brazil.

What will we cover?

- Portuguese pioneerism in navigation: Geographical context and motivations for exploration;
- The purpose of colonization: economic, political, and religious motivations;
- Colonial Society;
- Colonial Economy;
- Brazil: Discovery, Colonization, and Independence;
- Portuguese Colonies in Africa and Asia;
- Portugal's Wars in Africa.

By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Express an informed view about the the establishment, expansion, and demise of the Portuguese Empire.
- Understand the motivations behind Portuguese exploration and colonization.
- Examine the impact of Portuguese colonialism on indigenous cultures, economies, and societies.
- Analyze the complexities of the slave trade and its impact on the Portuguese Empire.
- Examine the dynamics of power, resistance, and independence movements within the Portuguese colonies.
- Assess the long-term consequences and challenges faced by former Portuguese colonies.
- Apply critical thinking skills to historical sources, engage in nuanced discussions, and develop independent research on the Portuguese Empire and its legacies.