Vasco Da Gama Research Paper

Vasco De Gama was one of the world’s greatest explorers ever, because of his abilities to explore unknown regions, deal with foreign encounters, and exchange or barder with unknown peoples. Thanks to his first voyage through India that Portugal had spotted in the perfect place for Trade across the Indian Ocean and had opened up the maritime trade route between Europe and Asia. Also, the Portuguese rulers realised because of Da Gama’s voyage what was necessary for them to be able to maintain all major trade routes all the way to the East. Vasco Da Gama was high born in Sines of Portugal around the year 1460 to a very rich family. His father was the commander of the Sines Fortress while little else was known about his childhood and teenage life. Immediately when he became of age, Da Gama joined the Portuguese Navy where he was taught to navigate among other things. By his 30s, Da Gama gained the reputation of a rugged, yet fearless sailor. He had gained such a reputation that King …show more content…
The reason for this sudden urge to look for a trade route again was because news had spread that the voyage of Bartolomeu Dias had found that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans were directly connected. Da Gama was the navigator chosen to lead the fleet by Dom Manuel. It was on July 8 of 1497 that Da Gama had set sail with a fleet of 4 ships and a crew of around 165 men to find a new route. This was Vasco Da Gama’s first voyage set solely for exploration and the result completely opened up the maritime trade routes of Europe and Asia. The second voyage was a follow up expedition that had been set to further explore the new found route and to sign a treaty so the Portuguese could open a factory in the newly found land, but this time Da Gama did not lead the expedition, as it was Pedro Alvares Cabral chosen to lead. Later Da Gama had set sail in 1502 to