Request from a Christian.

[GUBU]

Interesting...
That's not the story of Portuguese colonialism I was sold.
To get at Islam by the back door.... so go around the African continent and arrive at India...uhhh?! wut?!

Well, in a way, that merchant path did strike a blow to the Arab-controlled land path from India/China to Europe.

They looked to go around Africa in the first instance to hook up with Prester John who they thought would help them retake Jerusalem, the Levant and Egypt from the heathen musselmen. It was an attempt to continue the reconquista.

Of course over time that goal morphed into subjugating the African heathen and exploiting them for profit.

Got a source for that?

I'll look into the details tomorrow, but it is what I was taught in school and have read elsewhere as well.