History's Greatest Voyages of Exploration Season 1 Episode 8 Portugal's Great Leap Forward

In "Portugal's Great Leap Forward," the eighth episode of the first season of History's Greatest Voyages of Exploration, viewers are taken on a journey through Portugal's significant contributions to maritime exploration during the Age of Discovery.

The episode starts by introducing Prince Henry the Navigator, who established a school for navigators in the early 15th century. The school was responsible for the development of advanced nautical technology such as the caravel, a type of ship with triangular sails that allowed Portuguese explorers to sail against the wind. These advancements would eventually lead to Portugal's ability to navigate down the West coast of Africa.

Viewers are then taken along on Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias' journey around the Cape of Good Hope. The episode highlights the dangers and challenges of the voyage, including the extreme weather conditions and the health risks posed by malnutrition and dehydration.

Next, the focus shifts to Vasco da Gama's journey to India. The episode highlights the difficulties in negotiating trade deals with Indian leaders and the danger posed by pirate attacks. The journey ultimately proved to be a turning point in European relations with India and established Portugal as a dominant world power.

The episode then shifts its focus to the life of explorer Fernão de Magalhães (also known as Ferdinand Magellan). It explores his journey to South America, the search for a passage to Asia, and his eventual crossing of the Pacific. The episode notes that Magellan was the first European to cross the Pacific and highlights the difficulties faced by his crew due to scurvy and other health issues.

Finally, the episode concludes by discussing Portugal's role in the European colonization of the Americas. The episode notes the success of Portuguese colonies in Brazil and how they became a dominant force in the sugar trade.

Throughout "Portugal's Great Leap Forward," viewers are treated to stunning visuals of both modern-day locations and recreations of historical events. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of Portugal's significant contributions to world exploration and the impact of their discoveries on global trade and European colonization.