Rise of Great T Nation - Portugal / Spain

Author: Ren Xue'an
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: "Portugal and Spain" Recommended by the Editor: In the 15th century, the two earliest nation-states in Europe, Portugal and Spain, embarked on maritime adventures supported by national strength: Under the command of Prince Henry, Portuguese navigators successively opened a sea route from the Atlantic to the south around the Cape of Good Hope to reach India; With the support of Queen Isabella, Columbus, representing Spain, reached the Americas. After Magellan completed the first human, the previously fragmented world was finally connected into a whole by geographical discoveries, giving birth to world powers. Portugal and Spain divided the world through mutual competition, establishing a colonial empire with global influence relying on new routes and colonial plunder, and reached their peak in the first half of the 16th century, becoming a generation of world powers. However, these two empires, which rose rapidly through plunder but squandered wealth in wars without developing industry and commerce, soon reached their zenith and decline. The grand drama on the world stage ended tragically.
Listening to history is a great wisdom. Looking back at the rise and fall of great powers allows history to illuminate our future journey. Portugal and Spain opened the curtain for the journey of truly world-significant great powers. What enabled them to rise rapidly in the early 16th century and then decline just as swiftly? Why was the competition for maritime power the very beginning of the struggle for great powers? Is the ocean the decisive factor in the rise of great powers?
In the 15th century, the two earliest nation-states in Europe, Portugal and Spain, embarked on maritime adventures supported by national strength: Under the command of Prince Henry, Portuguese navigators successively opened a sea route from the Atlantic to the south around the Cape of Good Hope to reach India; With the support of Queen Isabella, Columbus, representing Spain, reached the Americas. After Magellan completed the first human, the previously fragmented world was finally connected into a whole by geographical discoveries, giving birth to world powers. Portugal and Spain divided the world through mutual competition, establishing a colonial empire with global influence relying on new routes and colonial plunder, and reached their peak in the first half of the 16th century, becoming a generation of world powers. However, these two empires, which rose rapidly through plunder but squandered wealth in wars without developing industry and commerce, soon reached their zenith and decline. The grand drama on the world stage ended tragically.