13/06/2022
Half of the "New World" Once Belonged to Portugal
In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed. This document essentially gave Portugal the eastern half of the "New World," including Brazil and parts of Africa and Asia. The Portuguese Empire was actually the first global empire in history. It was also one of the longest-lived colonial powers, lasting for almost six centuries from when Ceuta was captured in 1415 until Macau (now China) was handed over in 1999.
In 1808, Dom João, the King of Portugal, moved to Brazil and proclaimed a single state that included Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves. The single state was called the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves and was effective from 1815 to 1822. The new capital of the kingdom was Rio de Janeiro. The kingdom was disestablished in 1822 after the king returned to Portugal in 1821, leaving his son, Prince Dom Pedro, to rule Brazil. In turn, the country soon declared independence from Portugal.
