1. Vasco da Gama

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Discoveries Found waterway to Inida Returned to Calicut in 1502 and virtually destroyed the port, disrupting trade with Europe.

5. First Voyage Set sail on July 8 th 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].

6. Sea Route

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.