Vasco da Gama
Biography
Born in Sines, a Province of
Alemitejo, Portugal in 1469.
Father Estavo was explorer
who was entrusted with the
mission to find a sea route to
India. He dies, da Gama
inherits the mission
Fought in wars against
Castile, before sea voyage,
he was promoted to captain
as a result of his victories.
Biography continued…
Received absolution before his mission, king
Manuel thought that he was sending da Gama
on a suicide mission.
Dies in 1524 in India, then remains are
transported back to Portugal several years
later.
His mother was English.
Discoveries
Found waterway to Inida
Returned to Calicut in 1502 and virtually
destroyed the port, disrupting trade with Europe.
First Voyage
Set sail on July 8th 1497, he reached
Calicut, India in may of 1498, luckily
unharmed (his ship was manned by
convicts).
He set out with four ships, the return
filled with spices, gems/gold, and
silks.
Left behind bad relations with Indian
merchants
Da Gama said “I feel in my heart a
great desire and inclination to go
and make great havoc of [King
Zamoin of Calicut].
Sea Route
Continued Travels
Vasco returns to India in 1502 with a vengance
He kills shiploads of men, women, and children
floating their dismembered bodies to the shores
of Calicut to encourage increased trade with
Portugal.
Although brutal this action ends up stimulating
the Portugal economy into becoming the most
powerful European commercial power for a time.
Long-term Impact
New link between East and West.
Attitude towards different people broadened
Trade between India/Asia and Europe increased
Shifted trade from Mediterranean to Atlantic
Coast
Short-term impact
Increase in wealth of Portugal, and Europe.
Latest discoveries of Asia shared with Europe.
Wealth lead to wars for maritime supremacy in
and around Europe
Europeans felt they should “Europeanize” the
new found civilizations
Spirit of adventure and endurance within Europe.
Disrupted trade with the Muslims in Africa.