Prince Henry the Navigator's Motives for Azores & Madeira

Prince Henry (Infante Dom Henrique, 1394–1460) drove Portuguese expansion into the Atlantic islands for five intertwined reasons:

1. Exploration Stepping Stones: Azores (discovered 1427) and Madeira (1419) were mid-Atlantic waypoints en route to Africa and, ultimately, a sea route to Asia.
2. Economic Resources: Fertile volcanic soils (wheat, sugar cane), timber, dyes (orchil), fisheries, later wine (Madeira). Sugar plantations on Madeira became a prototype for Atlantic plantation slavery.
3. Strategic Naval Bases: Secure harbors for resupply, repair, and projection of power down the African coast.
4. Navigation Academy: Henry's school at Sagres trained pilots, cartographers, instrument-makers; island voyages were practical exercises.
5. Colonization & Evangelization: Settle loyal Portuguese, convert/enslave Canary Islanders, spread Christianity—fulfilling Crusading ideals.

These islands launched Portugal's Age of Discovery.