(Originais Teachy 2024) - Question Medium of History

During the period of the Great Navigations, Europe experienced an intense process of maritime expansion, driven by economic, technological, and geopolitical factors. In this context, Portugal and Spain established themselves as pioneering nations in the exploration and conquest of new lands, which significantly influenced the configuration of the modern world. Considering the excerpt from Gilberto Freyre, in 'Casa-Grande & Senzala': 'Portugal and Spain never formed an economic or political unity in the Middle Ages or Modern Age, but stood out as colonizing powers from the 15th century onwards, largely due to maritime expansion.' Reflect on the role of the Great Navigations in the context of international economic relations and answer the following questions: 1) How did maritime expansion change the world economic map of the time and the commercial practices between European nations and the rest of the world? 2) Evaluate the social and cultural impacts resulting from the arrival of Europeans to the discovered lands, considering the interaction with local populations and the phenomenon known as 'Discovery'.