Which accurately describes Portuguese motivations for exploring along the west coast of Africa?
Select all that apply.
The Portuguese sought to increase gold reserves and resume minting gold coins.
The Portuguese sought labor power by capturing and trading for slaves.
The Portuguese sought to acquire African weapons to be sold to the English for profit.
The Portuguese sought herbal medicine from Japan as a cure for the bubonic plague.
a and b
The accurate motivations for Portuguese exploration along the west coast of Africa are:
- The Portuguese sought to increase gold reserves and resume minting gold coins.
- The Portuguese sought labor power by capturing and trading for slaves.
To determine the accurate descriptions of Portuguese motivations for exploring along the west coast of Africa, we should evaluate the options provided:
1. The Portuguese sought to increase gold reserves and resume minting gold coins.
This is an accurate description. One of the Portuguese motivations for exploring the west coast of Africa was to access new sources of gold, as they aimed to increase their reserves and resume minting gold coins.
2. The Portuguese sought labor power by capturing and trading for slaves.
This is also an accurate description. Another crucial Portuguese motivation was to establish a slave trade network along the African coast. They aimed to capture and trade slaves, utilizing their labor power in the Portuguese colonies.
3. The Portuguese sought to acquire African weapons to be sold to the English for profit.
This option is incorrect. There is no historical evidence to suggest that the Portuguese explored the west coast of Africa specifically to acquire African weapons and sell them to the English for profit.
4. The Portuguese sought herbal medicine from Japan as a cure for the bubonic plague.
This option is also incorrect. The Portuguese motivations for exploring the west coast of Africa were not related to seeking herbal medicine from Japan as a cure for the bubonic plague.
Therefore, the accurate descriptions of Portuguese motivations for exploring along the west coast of Africa are:
- The Portuguese sought to increase gold reserves and resume minting gold coins.
- The Portuguese sought labor power by capturing and trading for slaves.