Vasco Da Gama free essay sample

The Da Gamas were minor aristocrats, and Vasco’s father, Estevao Da Gama and his wife, Dona Isabel Sodre had five sons. Vasco was the third. Skills of Vasco Da Gama Gaspar Correia ,Sixteenth- Century historian, written that it was at Evora where he may have learned mathematics and navigation. It is evident that Gama knew astronomy well, and it is possible that he may have studied under the astronomer Abraham Zacuto. He was also believed to served in the armadas and affairs of the sea, as it was common for sons of noble families to enter into military service. These skills served him well on the highseas. Why was Portgual interested in this expedition? Portuguese King, Joao II wanted to trade with the Africans and establish Portuguese bases for the protection and supply of Portuguese shops. He needed these bases because his quest was ultimately a sea to India, the source of the most promising trade ( silk and spices which is getting more expensive in Europe )in the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Vasco Da Gama or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Why a route on sea? India could not be reach directly by land because of the countries between Portugual and India, which controlled the trade routes. Christian travellers were also blocked by Ottoman Turks from using these land routes. The desert between them also provide them an obstacle to trade with India via land route. Why was Vasco Da Gama chosen for the expedition? In 1495, King Joao II died. Five years earlier in 1490, King Joao II ‘s son and heir, Prince Alfonso was stabbed by Joao’s cousin, Diogo, in a struggle for power. The next in line successor for the throne would be the Queen’s brother, Manuel. But King Joao wanted to pass the crown to his illegitimate son, Jorge. In order to make Jorge’s birth legal, King Joao II needed the cooperation from the Queen and the pope. But he was refused. Unable to secure the throne for Jorge, Jorge was made duke of Coimbra and this gave him considerable power and influence to limit the later King Manuel power. Vasco Da Gama was recognised by the Duke of Coimbra(Jorge) for his service and loyalty. And was give new rights and properties by the Duke. This in turn made Vasco Da Gama loyal to Jorge. While King Joao II was alive, Estevao Da Gama was to lead the expedition to India. But when Estevao died. The right to command was to the oldest son Paulo Da Gama, who was unwell. This inturn made Vasco Da Gama, the leader for the expedition. It was also believed that the King Manuel chosed Vasco so that it would appear that he would be respecting Jorge. To grant such an honour to Vasco paid homage to Jorge. But in fact, if the mission was to fail. Defeat would be the fault of Da Gama and Jorge. Tasks Vasco Da Gama’s task was to setup and secure trading post along the coast of Africa to enforce Portuguese Interest in the East. He was also task to convert the muslims to Christians. Voyages Vasco Da Gama lead a few expedition voyages in his lifetime. The 1st on 8th July 1497 to September 1499 with 4 fleets ( 2 Carracks, 1 Caravel and 1 storage ship) The 2nd on 12 Feburary 1502 to 15th December 1503 with 20 warships. In between 1512-1514. He visited Indonesia and China( need to confirm source again) The final on year 1524 which he died at the City of Cochin on 24th December. His route History Event Worth Mentioning Vasco da Gama to lead a pioneering voyage to India. Vasco Da Gama was the first European to open a sea-based trade route to India. In an epic voyage, he sailed around Africas Cape of Good Hope and succeeded in breaking the monopoly of Arab and Venetian spice traders. Two days later, after leaving St Helena Bay, they rounded the Cape of Good Hope and landed at Mossel Bay, where they traded trinkets with local people in exchange for an ox. When Da Gama tried to trade with the ruling Sultan his paltry gifts were scorned. Despite sparing no expense to equip the expedition, the Portuguese had totally underestimated the quality of goods being traded in this part of the world cotton, ivory, gold and pearls After many stops in Africa, and problems with Muslim traders who did not want interference in their profitable trade routes, Vasco Da Gama reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Da Gama left India on August 29, 1498, after he was told to pay a large tax and leave all of his trading goods. When he left, Da Gama took his goods with him, together with some Indian hostages. Vasco Da Gamas crew suffered terribly from scurvy (lack of vitamin C) and 30 men died. †¦with too few men alive to sail three ships, the St Raphael was burnt. Their task was to consolidate Portuguese dominance of the route to India, but it was to lead to one of the worst maritime massacres in history. Da Gama began a campaign of terror against Muslim shipping After raids on several Muslim ports along the east African coast, da Gama began a campaign of terror against Muslim shipping off the Malabar Coast. Here he captured the Meri, a ship with 200 Muslim pilgrims on the return journey from Mecca, and set it alight. With some 400 men, women and children aboard, da Gama fuelled the fires for four days until all had died. He then moved on to Calicut, where he captured and dismembered 30 fishermen and let their bodies float in with the tide for their families to find. Feared and hated, he left behind the first European naval force in Asian waters. Upon his return home in September 1503, da Gama was richly rewarded by the Portuguese for his efforts and was eventually appointed Viceroy of India Historical Naming after Vasco Da Gama. The Portuguese national epic, the Lusiadas of Luis Vaz de Camoes, largely concerns Vasco da Gamas voyages. The 1865 opera LAfricaine: Opera en Cinq Actes, composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Eugene Scribe, prominently includes the character of Vasco da Gama. A 1989 production of the composition by the San Francisco Opera featured noted tenor Placido Domingo in the role of Gama. The port city of Vasco da Gama in Goa is named after him, as is the Vasco da Gama crater, a big crater on the Moon. There are three football clubs in Brazil (including Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama) and Vasco Sports Club in Goa that were also named after him. A church in Kochi, Kerala Vasco da Gama Church, a private residence on the island of Saint Helena and Lisbons Vasco da Gama Bridge and Centro Vasco da Gama shopping centre are also named after him. The suburb of Vasco in Cape Town also honours him. South African musician Hugh Masekela recorded an anti-colonialist song entitled Vasco da Gama (The Sailor Man), which contains the lyrics Vasco da Gama was no friend of mine. He later recorded another version of this song under the name Colonial Man. Vasco Da Gama free essay sample He was also believed to served in the armadas and affairs of the sea, as it was common for sons of noble families to enter into military service. These skills served him well on the highseas. Why was Portgual interested in this expedition? Portuguese King, Joao II wanted to trade with the Africans and establish Portuguese bases for the protection and supply of Portuguese shops. He needed these bases because his quest was ultimately a sea to India, the source of the most promising trade ( silk and spices which is getting more expensive in Europe )in the world. Why a route on sea? India could not be reach directly by land because of the countries between Portugual and India, which controlled the trade routes. Christian travellers were also blocked by Ottoman Turks from using these land routes. The desert between them also provide them an obstacle to trade with India via land route. We will write a custom essay sample on Vasco Da Gama or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Why was Vasco Da Gama chosen for the expedition? In 1495, King Joao II died. Five years earlier in 1490, King Joao II ‘s son and heir, Prince Alfonso was stabbed by Joao’s cousin, Diogo, in a struggle for power. The next in line successor for the throne would be the Queen’s brother, Manuel. But King Joao wanted to pass the crown to his illegitimate son, Jorge. In order to make Jorge’s birth legal, King Joao II needed the cooperation from the Queen and the pope. But he was refused. Unable to secure the throne for Jorge, Jorge was made duke of Coimbra and this gave him considerable power and influence to limit the later King Manuel power. Vasco Da Gama was recognised by the Duke of Coimbra(Jorge) for his service and loyalty. And was give new rights and properties by the Duke. This in turn made Vasco Da Gama loyal to Jorge. While King Joao II was alive, Estevao Da Gama was to lead the expedition to India. But when Estevao died. The right to command was to the oldest son Paulo Da Gama, who was unwell. This inturn made Vasco Da Gama, the leader for the expedition. It was also believed that the King Manuel chosed Vasco so that it would appear that he would be respecting Jorge. To grant such an honour to Vasco paid homage to Jorge. But in fact, if the mission was to fail. Defeat would be the fault of Da Gama and Jorge. Tasks Vasco Da Gama’s task was to setup and secure trading post along the coast of Africa to enforce Portuguese Interest in the East. He was also task to convert the muslims to Christians. Voyages Vasco Da Gama lead a few expedition voyages in his lifetime. The 1st on 8th July 1497 to September 1499 with 4 fleets ( 2 Carracks, 1 Caravel and 1 storage ship) The 2nd on 12 Feburary 1502 to 15th December 1503 with 20 warships. In between 1512-1514. He visited Indonesia and China( need to confirm source again) The final on year 1524 which he died at the City of Cochin on 24th December. His route History Event Worth Mentioning Vasco da Gama to lead a pioneering voyage to India. Vasco Da Gama was the first European to open a sea-based trade route to India. In an epic voyage, he sailed around Africas Cape of Good Hope and succeeded in breaking the monopoly of Arab and Venetian spice traders. Two days later, after leaving St Helena Bay, they rounded the Cape of Good Hope and landed at Mossel Bay, where they traded trinkets with local people in exchange for an ox. When Da Gama tried to trade with the ruling Sultan his paltry gifts were scorned. Despite sparing no expense to equip the expedition, the Portuguese had totally underestimated the quality of goods being traded in this part of the world cotton, ivory, gold and pearls After many stops in Africa, and problems with Muslim traders who did not want interference in their profitable trade routes, Vasco Da Gama reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Da Gama left India on August 29, 1498, after he was told to pay a large tax and leave all of his trading goods. When he left, Da Gama took his goods with him, together with some Indian hostages. Vasco Da Gamas crew suffered terribly from scurvy (lack of vitamin C) and 30 men died. †¦with too few men alive to sail three ships, the St Raphael was burnt. Their task was to consolidate Portuguese dominance of the route to India, but it was to lead to one of the worst maritime massacres in history. Da Gama began a campaign of terror against Muslim shipping After raids on several Muslim ports along the east African coast, da Gama began a campaign of terror against Muslim shipping off the Malabar Coast. Here he captured the Meri, a ship with 200 Muslim pilgrims on the return journey from Mecca, and set it alight. With some 400 men, women and children aboard, da Gama fuelled the fires for four days until all had died. He then moved on to Calicut, where he captured and dismembered 30 fishermen and let their bodies float in with the tide for their families to find. Feared and hated, he left behind the first European naval force in Asian waters. Upon his return home in September 1503, da Gama was richly rewarded by the Portuguese for his efforts and was eventually appointed Viceroy of India Historical Naming after Vasco Da Gama. The Portuguese national epic, the Lusiadas of Luis Vaz de Camoes, largely concerns Vasco da Gamas voyages. The 1865 opera LAfricaine: Opera en Cinq Actes, composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Eugene Scribe, prominently includes the character of Vasco da Gama. A 1989 production of the composition by the San Francisco Opera featured noted tenor Placido Domingo in the role of Gama. The port city of Vasco da Gama in Goa is named after him, as is the Vasco da Gama crater, a big crater on the Moon. There are three football clubs in Brazil (including Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama) and Vasco Sports Club in Goa that were also named after him. A church in Kochi, Kerala Vasco da Gama Church, a private residence on the island of Saint Helena and Lisbons Vasco da Gama Bridge and Centro Vasco da Gama shopping centre are also named after him. The suburb of Vasco in Cape Town also honours him. South African musician Hugh Masekela recorded an anti-colonialist song entitled Vasco da Gama (The Sailor Man), which contains the lyrics Vasco da Gama was no friend of mine. He later recorded another version of this song under the name Colonial Man.