Vasco Da Gama Research Paper

Vinson Ramiscal

Mrs. Duren

May 26, 2017 Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who found a sea route around Africa and landed on India. Because of route he used, Europeans were able to trade with Asia. He is considered a leading figure of the entire history of exploration. Vasco Da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal around 1460 CE. Not much of his childhood is known. His father was the governor of Sines, Estêvão da Gama, and Vasco Da Gama was his third son. Vasco Da Gama’s mother was Isabel Sodré who was from a good family. Vasco Da Gama had four brothers and one sister. Vasco Da Gama’s brothers were Paulo, Pedro, and João Sodré Da Gama. Vasco Da Gama’s sister was Teresa Da Gama. Because Vasco Da Gama was in a good

When the Mongols fell, the local rulers on the silk road raised the prices on their items and goods. When the Ottoman Turks captured the Byzantine Empire, they blocked Italian merchants from going inside the Black Sea. The Italian merchants had trading posts there to buy goods from Asia, but were unable to go there. Instead, the Italian merchants had to trade with the Ottoman Turks, but the Ottoman Turks raised the prices, as well. The Europeans wanted to directly trade with Asia, but to get there was the problem. The Europeans thought that they could reach Asia by sea. Prince Henry thought that if they found a way around Africa, they could reach India. Then, in 1488, Bartolomeu Dias found a way around Africa, so it was possible to reach India. The task to lead a crew to India was originally Vasco Da Gama’s father’s job, but he died before the journey began, so then, the task was given to Vasco Da Gama. He set sail from Lisbon, Portugal on July 8, 1497 with four ships, São Gabriel, São Rafael, Berrio, and the fourth ship did not have a name, but was only used for storage, and 170 men. Vasco Da Gama managed to finish the journey of going to India and back, but with 55 men and only two ships back. He returned back to Lisbon almost a year later when he left. When he returned he was given a hero’s welcome. He went on a second voyage in hope to set up trading posts in India. In 1502, He went to Cochin and successfully made an alliance with the local ruler there. He and his crew returned to Portugal on October 11, of the same year. Vasco Da Gama never voyaged to India again until King John III appointed him as a Portuguese viceroy in India. That was his last trip to India because he died in December in the same year in India. Vasco Da Gama is considered a leading role in exploration history. He found a way for Europe to be able to trade with