Portugal
and Spain Lead the Pack
nFortresses were established in African and Asian ports.
nThe Spanish quickly followed the Portuguese example.
nColumbus reached the Americas in 1492, mistakenly calling their inhabitants Indians.
nSpain gained papal approval for its claims over most of Latin America; a later decision gave Brazil to Portugal.
nSixteenth century expeditions brought the Spanish as far north as the southwestern United States.
nFerdinand Magellan began a Spanish voyage in 1519 that circumnavigated the globe.
nAs a result, Spain claimed the Philippines.
