WI: Portugal reaches the Americas first?

Now, I know there's a lot of controversy over reaching the Americas 'first'--the Native Americans, of course, were first, but I mean in the context of late medieval Europe. Is it plausible that Portugal could have reached the Americas before Spain? Why or why not? And what would be the effects?
 
Which controversy ? (Apart from unproven, half-lunatic ones)

Not that likely, anyway : Portuguese followed the road to Indias by Africa, meaning it was hard to get lost; loosing sight of the coast would have prevented them to go too far westwards.

You'll argue that Cabral did it but he wasn't a really good navigator (being probably nominated for political reasons) and when they realized it wasn't Africa or Indias, they left.

Now, an earlier accidental discovery is possible, but Portuguese would probably consider it as "not Indias new land" and not give it too much importance in a first time (maybe as a stop on the road, but it was quite far from it. Eventually using it as an Azores-like land (for sugar) pretty much as OTL happening earlier with consequent changes.
 
Colombus finds no one to fund him

Cabral mishappens on Brazil. When he returns to Portugal and tells them of a big island they colonize part of it as a way point for those blown off course.
 
Which controversy ? (Apart from unproven, half-lunatic ones)

Well, you know, if I ever happen to say that Columbus was first in the Americas, people always get mad at me. I mean in terms of medieval Europeans, damnit! Not Basques or Vikings or Paleoindians or what-have-you!

You'll argue that Cabral did it but he wasn't a really good navigator (being probably nominated for political reasons) and when they realized it wasn't Africa or Indias, they left.

So is there a way to get them from leaving then?

Now, an earlier accidental discovery is possible, but Portuguese would probably consider it as "not Indias new land" and not give it too much importance in a first time (maybe as a stop on the road, but it was quite far from it. Eventually using it as an Azores-like land (for sugar) pretty much as OTL happening earlier with consequent changes.

Hmm, right. What changes do you foresee in particular?

Colombus finds no one to fund him

Cabral mishappens on Brazil. When he returns to Portugal and tells them of a big island they colonize part of it as a way point for those blown off course.

Essentially like LSCatilina said then. What do you think the result of this would be?
 
While I say exploration owns colonisation of the Americas is delayed. Maybe after 10 years or something Portugal realises this is a new continent not an island. Then England, Castille and Aragon, and then France all race to the Americas.
 
While I say exploration owns colonisation of the Americas is delayed. Maybe after 10 years or something Portugal realises this is a new continent not an island. Then England, Castille and Aragon, and then France all race to the Americas.
well, those 10 years maybe won't be useful for Aztecs, but it will eb for Incas, the Civil war will be finished by that moment, so, Spaniards or portuguese will find a united Empire
 
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