European Empires

Portugal Portugal Portugal –Established the earliest modern European colonial empires –Prince Henry the Navigator Started a school for navigation Started a school for navigation Sent ships down the coast of Africa in search of a trade route to Asia Sent ships down the coast of Africa in search of a trade route to Asia –Portuguese explorers led the way in creating trade routes to Asia and setting up forts and trading posts –Brazil became Portugal’s most profitable colony (granted independence in 1822)

Portuguese Colonial Empire

Spain Christopher Columbus (1492) Christopher Columbus (1492) –Sailing west from Europe in search of a trade route to Asia he “found the New World” (landed in the Bahamas and called it the West Indies) Became one of the largest empires by claiming land in North, Central and South America (conquered the Inca and Aztec Indians – giving them enormous wealth) Became one of the largest empires by claiming land in North, Central and South America (conquered the Inca and Aztec Indians – giving them enormous wealth)

Spanish Colonial Empire

England Great Britain – (England, Scotland, and Wales) Great Britain – (England, Scotland, and Wales) Largest empire in history Largest empire in history Controlled – Canada, Australia, India, much of eastern Africa, the American Colonies, and many islands across the world Controlled – Canada, Australia, India, much of eastern Africa, the American Colonies, and many islands across the world By the 1920s, one-fourth of the world’s population was under British control By the 1920s, one-fourth of the world’s population was under British control

British Colonial Empire

France One of the world’s most dominant empires under the French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte One of the world’s most dominant empires under the French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte Controlled much of Europe – Germany, Italy, and Spain Controlled much of Europe – Germany, Italy, and Spain Colonies throughout the world included islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans Colonies throughout the world included islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans Parts of Canada, South America, Asia, Northwest Africa were under French rule Parts of Canada, South America, Asia, Northwest Africa were under French rule

French Empire 18 th – 20 th Century