Portuguese Colonialism

Portuguese colonialism refers to Portugal’s history of establishing and maintaining territories overseas from the 15th to the 20th centuries. Driven by exploration, trade, and the desire for resources, Portugal controlled regions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and Goa. The colonial system often involved economic exploitation, cultural imposition, and political dominance over indigenous populations. Portuguese colonialism significantly shaped global trade routes, cultural exchanges, and regional histories, leaving lasting impacts on the colonized societies’ development, identity, and social structures.