Being experts in the area of navigation, ship building and weaponry, it was quite certain that the Portugeuse were the first Europeans to arrive in Indonesia. Starting with the first exploratory expeditions from Malacca, which had recently been conquered, the Portuguese reached Indonesia in 1512, hoping to get their hands on the valuable spice trade and extend the Roman Catholic church's missionary efforts at the same time.
The Portuguese first went over to the Spice Islands, also known as the Maluku islands, which were a part of Indonesia, and established many trading ports, forts and missions there. Portuguese missionary activity peaked in the later half of the 16th century, but ultimately, the Portuguese had little influence on Indonesian culture, being present in only small parts of Indonesia, mainly Solor, Flores and Timor.
The most significant impacts that the Portuguese made in Indonesia would be the disruption and disorganisation of the trade network, which was mainly due to their conquering of Malacca, and the first signs of Christianity in Indonesia. Ever since, there have been Christian communities in eastern Indonesia.
The Portuguese first went over to the Spice Islands, also known as the Maluku islands, which were a part of Indonesia, and established many trading ports, forts and missions there. Portuguese missionary activity peaked in the later half of the 16th century, but ultimately, the Portuguese had little influence on Indonesian culture, being present in only small parts of Indonesia, mainly Solor, Flores and Timor.
The most significant impacts that the Portuguese made in Indonesia would be the disruption and disorganisation of the trade network, which was mainly due to their conquering of Malacca, and the first signs of Christianity in Indonesia. Ever since, there have been Christian communities in eastern Indonesia.