Who was he? Portuguese explorer Portuguese explorer Born in Sines a small port in southern Portugal in 1460 Born in Sines a small port in southern Portugal in 1460 This was the same year the Henry the Navigator died This was the same year the Henry the Navigator died Vasco da Gama joined the navy Vasco da Gama joined the navy

Where was he going? Vasco da Gama was the next Portuguese sailor to find a route to India. He was chosen by the King of Portugal to lead this expedition which was due to set off on the 8th July 1497 from Lisbon. Vasco da Gama was the next Portuguese sailor to find a route to India. He was chosen by the King of Portugal to lead this expedition which was due to set off on the 8th July 1497 from Lisbon.

Bartholomew Diaz personally supervised the preparations for da Gama’s journey. The fleet consisted of four ships, two of which were specially constructed. They were called naos. Bartholomew Diaz personally supervised the preparations for da Gama’s journey. The fleet consisted of four ships, two of which were specially constructed. They were called naos.

On the 18 th of November 1497 he sighted the Cape of Good Hope – and Diaz’s padrao. They continued to sail northwards along the African coast. On the 18 th of November 1497 he sighted the Cape of Good Hope – and Diaz’s padrao. They continued to sail northwards along the African coast.

In March 1498, they sailed to Mozambique and Mombassa. Vasco da Gama tried to trade goods but his gifts were scorned and the Muslims there were not very pleased to see them. They though that their spice trade might be at risk. In March 1498, they sailed to Mozambique and Mombassa. Vasco da Gama tried to trade goods but his gifts were scorned and the Muslims there were not very pleased to see them. They though that their spice trade might be at risk. Cotton, ivory, gold and pearls were also traded here, which da Gama wasn’t expecting.

Da Gama and his men did not get on very well with the Muslims there because they were Christians. Arguments and fights broke out as the Muslims were very protective over their successful spice trade Da Gama and his men did not get on very well with the Muslims there because they were Christians. Arguments and fights broke out as the Muslims were very protective over their successful spice trade

After this they moved across the Indian Ocean and arrived in a town called Calicut (which is now known as Calcutta) in May Here they were able to get peppers, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and jewels. After this they moved across the Indian Ocean and arrived in a town called Calicut (which is now known as Calcutta) in May Here they were able to get peppers, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and jewels.

The journey home The journey back to Portugal was terrible. Not only had the journey there been long but they now had to go back. They had already travelled around 33,000km (20,500 miles). Da Gama’s crew suffered terribly from scurvy. Out of a crew of 148 men only 55 returned: The journey back to Portugal was terrible. Not only had the journey there been long but they now had to go back. They had already travelled around 33,000km (20,500 miles). Da Gama’s crew suffered terribly from scurvy. Out of a crew of 148 men only 55 returned: – How many men died?

They arrived back in Portugal in September 1499.

So what was actually good about his journey? Vasco da Gama had finally shown that Europeans could reach India by the sea! Vasco da Gama had finally shown that Europeans could reach India by the sea!

Tasks Activity 22, p.45 Activity 22, p.45 – Write notes in your jotter for each date – Use the timeline on the board to help you remember where you were at the time Collect a diary entry to stick into your jotter. Pretend you were a young sailor at sea with da Gama. Write an entry into your diary to tell people what it was like to go on the expedition. Collect a diary entry to stick into your jotter. Pretend you were a young sailor at sea with da Gama. Write an entry into your diary to tell people what it was like to go on the expedition.