Question

Hi! Im in a class called international history, and we have to write a letter to Berlin in one of the countries that attended' point of view. My country is Portugal, and basically the assignment is to write a letter that represents your country to be read at the Berlin Conference, it has to be specific to their needs, and include the interests of the country. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Portugal is a southern European country on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. Its oceanside location influences many aspects of its culture – salt cod and grilled sardines are national dishes, the Algarve's beaches are a major tourist destination and much of the nation’s architecture dates to the 1500s-1800s, when Portugal had a maritime empire.

Answer 2

That is just some facts about Portugal for you. Google some other facts that seem interesting for you. Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Yes i know, but i have to write a letter that is from their point of view that they would read at the berlin conference, do you know how i could lay it out?

Answer 4

What do you exactly mean by "their point of view"?

Answer 5

This is the assignment:

Answer 6

my country is Portugal

Answer 7

You have to relate to imperalism in Africa?

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

So the first thing is to check how Portugal can Relate to imperalism in Africa

Answer 10

Let me check for you

Answer 11

Okay

Answer 12

here.something like This can be used as your Introduction of your essay: As the European conquest of Africa unfolded, Portugal played the role of catalyst rather than leader. Hampered by its small size and weakened by several centuries of European warfare, Portugal was the smallest and poorest of Europe's imperial powers by the end of the 19th century. As a result, it was unable to hold on to everything that it claimed, but by playing off the major powers (England, France and Germany) against each other, Portugal managed to expand the territory that it actually controlled by the end of the "Scramble for Africa."

Answer 13

It shows in your intruductory of your essay that Portugal can in fact relate to imperialism in Africa

Answer 14

So far are you understanding?

Answer 15

Yes!

Answer 16

Oh just to let you know The Scramble for Africa is an expression used to describe the rather frantic competition by Europeans to claim as much African soil as they could at the end of the 19th century. Although there is some disagreement about the exact dates, the "Scramble" is thought to have begun in the early 1880s and ended by 1900.

Answer 17

Yes, i learned that in class

Answer 18

Ok thats great we are making progress! lol So now that you have your Introduction lets get to the good stuff

Answer 19

Portugal's African Holdings

Answer 20

What would that be

Answer 21

Well this is what it is. It is very important and will be a key factor in your assignement: Portuguese overseas expansion began in the fifteenth century, thanks to several factors that gave the small coastal nation an advantage over its larger European neighbors. First, in the 1300s, Portuguese shipbuilders invented several new techniques that made sailing in the stormy Atlantic Ocean more practical. They combined elements of different types of ships to construct stronger, roomier and more maneuverable caravels. They also took advantage of more reliable compasses for navigation, and benefitted from the school for navigation created by Prince Henry "the Navigator" (1394-1460) at Sagres in 1419. Starting with voyages to Madeira and the Azores (islands in the Atlantic) in the first part of the 14th century, the Portuguese systematically extended their explorations as far as Japan by the 16th century. In the process, they established forts and settlements along the West and East African coasts. In the 16th through 18th centuries, the Portuguese lost their lead to other European nations, notably England and France, but played a major role in the slave trade to satisfy the demand for labor in Brazil

Answer 22

This is what you are going to start with after your introduction. Because this is our key factor and an important part of your essay

Answer 23

So now we have the Introduction and our First section for your assignement. Now we can finish it off with one last section.

Answer 24

Portuguese Weakness

Answer 25

How am i going to put this stuff in their point of view? like what I'm writing should be what the Portuguese people would say at the actual conference. For example "Dear Berlin, We represent Portugal, and this is what we want with African Territories.." etc

Answer 26

Yes you can use that.

Answer 27

Okay, so i have to re do the intro in their point of view

Answer 28

Yes try to make the ssay the best you can in their point of view So In the essay Portugal is explaining to the Berlin Conferance facts and are stating key factors which will for sure make your essay mush better

Answer 29

Okay, can you help me write the intro and the 3 main things they want, and then ill do the body paragraphs?

Answer 30

You have your Intro and your first section of your paragraph. Now since we just about have 500 words which was the assigned number in your essay. Would you like to continue to another section?

Answer 31

the assigned # was 500 actually

Answer 32

Ok So I will put the peices together on what we have so far. The intro and the first section: INTRODUCTION

As the European conquest of Africa unfolded, Portugal played the role of catalyst rather than leader. Hampered by its small size and weakened by several centuries of European warfare, Portugal was the smallest and poorest of Europe's imperial powers by the end of the 19th century. As a result, it was unable to hold on to everything that it claimed, but by playing off the major powers (England, France and Germany) against each other, Portugal managed to expand the territory that it actually controlled by the end of the "Scramble for Africa."

Portugal's African Holdings

Portuguese overseas expansion began in the fifteenth century, thanks to several factors that gave the small coastal nation an advantage over its larger European neighbors. First, in the 1300s, Portuguese shipbuilders invented several new techniques that made sailing in the stormy Atlantic Ocean more practical. They combined elements of different types of ships to construct stronger, roomier and more maneuverable caravels. They also took advantage of more reliable compasses for navigation, and benefitted from the school for navigation created by Prince Henry "the Navigator" (1394-1460) at Sagres in 1419. Starting with voyages to Madeira and the Azores (islands in the Atlantic) in the first part of the 14th century, the Portuguese systematically extended their explorations as far as Japan by the 16th century. In the process, they established forts and settlements along the West and East African coasts. In the 16th through 18th centuries, the Portuguese lost their lead to other European nations, notably England and France, but played a major role in the slave trade to satisfy the demand for labor in Brazil.

By the beginning of the 19th century, Portugal controlled outposts at six locations in Africa. One was the Cape Verde Islands, located about 700 miles due west of Dakar, Senegal. Discovered by Alvise da Cadamosta of Venice in 1456 and claimed for Portugal by Diogo Gomes about 1458, this archipelago of eight major islands was devoted to sugar cultivation using slaves taken from the African mainland. The Portuguese once had extensive claims on the West African coast -- since they were the first Europeans to explore it systematically -- but by 1800 they were left with only a few ports at the mouth of the Rio Geba in what is now known as the Guinea-Bisseau.
To the east, the Portuguese controlled the islands of Sao Tomé & Principe, located south of the mouth of the Niger River. Like the Cape Verde Islands, they were converted to sugar production in the early 16th century using slaves acquired on the mainland in the vicinity of the Congo River. By the end of the 19th century, Portuguese landowners had successfully introduced cocoa production using forced African labor.

Answer 33

Okay, and now how can we put all of that into their point of view

Answer 34

Dear Berlin (Or Berlin Conference, whichever you prefer) we are representing Portugal and we will be explaining our relations to imperialism in Africa.

Answer 35

Now the Essay I gave you, just try to find spots where you can implement in their point of view

Answer 36

Okay,Thanks a lot!!!

Answer 37

And once that is done. Your all set. Hope I helped and good luck

Answer 38

Thank you again!

Answer 39

No problem :) And if you do not mind if i ask. What grade History are you taking?

Answer 40

10th grade

Answer 41

Dear Berlin Conference, we are representing Portugal and we will be explaining our relations to imperialism in Africa. As the European conquest of Africa unfold, we play the role of catalyst rather than leader. Hampered by our small size and weakened by several centuries of European warfare, we are the smallest and poorest of Europe's imperial powers by the end of this 19th century. As a result, we were unable to hold on to everything that we claimed, but by playing off the major powers known as, England, France and Germany, against each other… we managed to expand the territory that we actually controlled by the end of the "Scramble for Africa.”

Our overseas expansion began in the fifteenth century, thanks to several factors that gave the small coastal nation an advantage over its larger European neighbors. First, in the 1300s, Our Portuguese shipbuilders invented several new techniques that made sailing in the stormy Atlantic Ocean more practical. They combined elements of different types of ships to construct stronger, roomier and more maneuverable caravels. They also took advantage of more reliable compasses for navigation, and benefitted from the school for navigation created by Prince Henry "the Navigator" (1394-1460) at Sagres in 1419. Starting with voyages to Madeira and the Azores (islands in the Atlantic) in the first part of the 14th century, we systematically extended our explorations as far as Japan by the 16th century. In the process, they established forts and settlements along the West and East African coasts. In the 16th through 18th centuries, we lost our lead to other European nations, notably England and France, but played a major role in the slave trade to satisfy the demand for labor in Brazil.

By the beginning of the 19th century, we controlled outposts at six locations in Africa. One was the Cape Verde Islands, located about 700 miles due west of Dakar, Senegal. Discovered by Alvise da Cadamosta of Venice in 1456 and claimed for Portugal by Diogo Gomes about 1458, this archipelago of eight major islands was devoted to sugar cultivation using slaves taken from the African mainland. We Portuguese once had extensive claims on the West African coast -- since we were the first Europeans to explore it systematically.. but by 1800 we were left with only a few ports at the mouth of the Rio Geba in what is now known as the Guinea-Bisseau.
To the east, we controlled the islands of Sao Tomé & Principe, located south of the mouth of the Niger River. Like the Cape Verde Islands, they were converted to sugar production in the early 16th century using slaves acquired on the mainland in the vicinity of the Congo River. By the end of the 19th century, our Portuguese landowners had successfully introduced cocoa production using forced African labor.



i don't think this sounds right.. i think it should sound more first person point of view, and should explain what they want from the scramble for africa, could you help again?

Answer 42

Sadly I have to get going.I really wish I could help you more. Best of luck to you!

Answer 43

okay, thanks!