Vasco da Gama: Portuguese Navigator

A detailed Summary of Vasco da Gama: Portuguese Navigator

The explorations and accomplishments of Vasco da Gama changed Portugal from a poor nation to one of the world's greatest powers. His persona and exploits distinguished him as an influential pioneer who helped shape Portugal as a nation for the next 100 years.

Vasco da Gama was born sometime in the 1460s near the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Born into a wealthy and respected family of high-ranking soldiers, Gama also trained to be a soldier, although he was more interested in boats and navigation. When Gama was appointed to man an African slave boat on a small mission, he showed his skills as a navigator and was eventually promoted to captain. Over time, Gama became known as a talented navigator.

Gama set out on his most important journey on July 8, 1497, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to find a sea route to India. Portugal was hoping to establish direct trade with India to avoid the high tariffs charged by Arabs, who controlled trade throughout the Mediterranean at the time. The lucrative spice trade would increase Portugal's wealth immeasurably. Gama consulted Bartolomeu Dias, the only man to sail around the Cape, about potential dangers and the most efficient way of circling the Cape. Dias advised him to go

Gama's first stop was St. Helena's Bay, about 100 miles away from the Cape of Good Hope. There he traded bells and tin rings for spices and gold with the local tribe known as the Hottentots. Gama made only a few more short stops before arriving at Malindi, a small port on the eastern coast of Africa. Here the local sultan provided Gama with fresh water, fruits and vegetables and a much-needed navigator for the treacherous trip across the Indian Ocean. Once Gama arrived in India he was not given much of a welcome, and did not trade many goods because the Indians viewed the Portuguese tin rings and bells as trash. Although he did not return to Portugal with as many goods as expected, Gama did succeed in establishing a trade agreement with India that allowed the two nations to trade directly.

had an inexplicably harsh attitude because of the years he spent in the slave trade. A second reason is because of his unwillingness to fail because it would bring disgrace on the Gama surname.

in a large arc to avoid coastal tides and fierce storms. He also told him, "One more thing. Watch your men for mutiny. If my own hadn't rebelled I might have reached India seven years ago (Syme 21) ." This advice saved Gama time and prevented possible catastrophe. Gama was at sea for over three months without seeing land, the long

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Approximate Word count = 899
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History