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Portuguese Voyages and Possessions

Portuguese Voyages and Possessions.jpg Fifteenth-century ShipThumbnailsThe Printing of BooksFifteenth-century ShipThumbnailsThe Printing of BooksFifteenth-century ShipThumbnailsThe Printing of BooksFifteenth-century ShipThumbnailsThe Printing of BooksFifteenth-century ShipThumbnailsThe Printing of Books
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The first great navigational feat that followed the invention of the compass was that performed by the Portuguese, Bartholomew Dias, who conceived the idea of reaching India by going around Africa, and sailed down the west coast of Africa as far as its southern end, later called the Cape of Good Hope. It was a tremendous undertaking, and it had tremendous results; for it demonstrated the possibilities of great ocean voyages, proved that the road to India was very long, and led to the expedition of Columbus, six years later. It was also a great invention, both in brilliancy of conception and excellence of execution, although Dias did not reach India.

The second great navigational feat was performed by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Before that time it was conceded by most men of learning and reflection that the earth was spherical; and it was realized that, if it was spherical, it might be possible by sailing to the westward to reach India, the goal of all commercial expeditions in that day. Columbus is not to be credited with the first conception of that possibility.

Author
Invention
The Master-key to Progress
Author: Bradley A. Fiske
Available from www.gutenberg.org
Published in 1921
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