Vasco da Gama Biography

Elizabeth Phan
When you are complete, this page should contain…
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
8:36 AM
- Cover Page
- Report
- Bibliography
Hum08 Renaissan...
Nice Cover Page!
8HP Page 1
Good clear intro
8HP Page 2
It's good you included many details,
but try to keep your focus on what
was achieved, instead of telling the
story of his expedition.
8HP Page 3
8HP Page 4
8HP Page 5
8HP Page 6
Research Process
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
10:56 AM
Source
Source Material
Point Form Notes
(Copy / Paste from original, make sure to keep web URL)
(key information!)
1
http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/westeurope/dagama.html
Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal in 1469. Being the son of the town's governor, he
was educated as a nobleman and served in the court of King Joao II. Da Gama also served as a
navel officer, and in 1492 he commanded a defense of Portuguese colonies from the French on
the coast of Guinea. Da Gama was then given the mission to the take command of the first
Portuguese expedition around Africa to India.
When Vasco da Gama set out on July 8, 1497 he and his crew planned and equipped four
ships. Goncalo Alvares commanded the flagship Sao (Saint) Gabriel. Paulo, da Gama's brother,
commanded the Sao Rafael. The other two ships were the Berrio and the Starship. Most of the
men working on the ship were convicts and were treated as expendable. On the voyage, da
Gama set out from Lisbon, Portugal, rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22, and
sailed north. Da Gama made various stops along the coast of Africa in trading centers such as
Mombasa, Mozambique, Malindi, Kenya, and Quilmana.
As the ships sailed along the east coast of Africa, many conflicts arose between the Portuguese
and the Muslims who had already established trading centers along the coast. The Muslim
traders in Mozambique and Mombasa did not want interference in their trade centers. Therefore,
they perceived the Portuguese as a threat and tried to seize the ships. In Malindi, on the other
hand, the Portuguese were well received, because the ruler was hoping to gain an ally against
Mombasa, the neighboring port. From Malindi, da Gama was accompanied the rest of the way to
India by Ahmad Ibn Majid, a famous Arab pilot.
Vasco da Gama finally arrived in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498. Calicut was the principle
market of trade for precious stones, pearls, and spices. At first, the Portuguese were well
received and accepted by the Hindu ruler. There was a great ceremony, and da Gama was
taken to a Hindu temple. However, this immediate reaction did not last. The ruler later felt
insulted by the gifts that Vasco da Gama brought, because they were of little value to him. Da
Gama was not able to establish his trading station or negotiate a trading agreement, because the
Zamorin (samudrin raja, the Hindu King) did not want to alienate the local merchants. The
Portuguese goods that had been well accepted in Africa were not suitable for the prestigious
Indian market. The Muslim merchants despised the Portuguese interference in their business
and often threatened to not trade with them. Finally, when da Gama wanted to leave, the
Zamorin told him that he had to pay a heavy tax and leave all the Portuguese goods as a form of
collateral. Da Gama was enraged, and on August 29, 1498, da Gama and his crew departed with
all of their possessions and five hostages. Da Gama also took a letter from the Zamorin stating
that the Zamorin would trade spices and gems if the Portuguese could get scarlet cloth, coral,
silver, and gold.
Vasco da Gama and his crew departed in August 1498 and reached Lisbon in September of
1499. The return trip took so long because many of the sailors died of diseases such as
scurvy. When Vasco da Gama returned, he was rewarded with a great celebration. Da Gama
was looked upon as a hero, and King Manoel awarded him with titles and a large income.
When Vasco da Gama went out on his second expedition on February 12, 1502, he was
prepared for an encounter with the Muslim traders. He set sail with 20 well-armed ships, hoping
to force his way into the market and to get revenge on the Muslims for the opposition in
1498. Da Gama killed many innocent Indians and Muslims. In one instance, da Gama waited for
a ship to return from Mecca, a Muslim trading and religious center. The Portuguese overtook the
ship and seized all the merchandise. Then they locked the 380 passengers in the hold and set
the ship on fire. It took four days for the ship to sink, killing all men, women, and children.
When da Gama arrived in Calicut on October 30, 1502, the Zamorin was willing to sign a
treaty. Da Gama told him that he would have to banish all of the Muslims. To demonstrate his
power, da Gama hung 38 fishermen; cut off their heads, feet, and hands; and floated the
dismembered corpses onto the shore. Later da Gama bombarded the city with guns and forced
his way into the trading system. This led the way for other Portuguese conquests in the East
Indies.
In February of 1503, da Gama returned home. During his final voyage to India, da Gama got
sick and died on December 24, 1524. Vasco da Gama's remains were taken back to Portugal,
where he was buried in the chapel where he had prayed before his first voyage.
• Born in Sines, Portugal 1469
• Son of town's governor
• Educated as a nobleman
• Served in court of King Joao II
• Served as a navel officer
• In 1492 he commanded a defense of Portuguese from the French on the coast
of Guinea
• Da Gama lead the first expedition around Africa to India
• Left Portugal on July 8, 1497
• Took 4 ships
• Goncalo Alvares commanded the flagship Sao (saint)Gabriel. Paulo (da Gama's
brother) lead the Sao Rafael. The Berrio and the Starship were the two other
ships.
• There were a lot of criminals on the ship and they were sent because they were
considered expendable
• He rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22
• Stopped on different coasts of Africa trading in places, such as, Mombasa,
Mozambique, Malindi, Kenya and Quilmana
• They stayed close to the cost of Africa but fought a lot with Muslim traders
who already had trade routes from India to Europe and didn't want to lost their
profit
• The Muslim people there tried to take the ships
• In Malindi the people welcomed the Portuguese and wanted them as an ally
against Mombasa
• Ahmad Ibn Majid from Malindi joined da Gama's fleet all the way to India
• Arrived in Calicut, India on May 20, 1498
• Calicut had many markets for precious stones, pearls and spices
• The Portuguese were welcomed at first by the Hindu ruler
• Da Gama was invited to many ceremonies
• The Hindu leader later was displeased because the gifts da Gama brought
didn't matter that much to him.
• The Portuguese didn't manage to make a trading station nor make trading
deals
• The Zamorin (Hindu King) didn’t want to trade with them
• When da Gama wanted to leave he was charged with a large tax and forced to
leave all of his goods
• He was really angry at this so he left with all his goods and five Indian hostages
• They left during August 1498 and arrived in Lisbon in September of 1499
• A lot of the crew members died from disease
• When he returned he was rewarded greatly
• His second expedition was on February 15 1502
• This time he went with 20 armed ships because they expected to be attacked
by Muslims and also to try and scare the people of India into trading with
Portugal
• He killed many innocent Indians and Muslims
• He arrived in Calicut on October 30, 1502
• The Zamorin agreed to sign a treaty
• In February 1503 da gama returned to Portugal
• He died in India on December 24, 1524 from an illness
• His body was later taken back to Portugal
2
http://www.nndb.com/people/101/000091825/
Born: c. 1469
Birthplace: Sines, Alemtejo, Portugal
Died: 24-Dec-1524
Location of death: Cochin, India
Cause of death: unspecified
Remains: Buried, Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon, Portugal
Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Explorer
Nationality: Portugal
Executive summary: Portuguese explorer, conqueror, privateer
Portuguese navigator and discoverer of the sea route to India, was born at Sines, a small seaport in the
province of Alemtejo. Of da Gama's early history little is known. His descent, according to
the Nobiliario of Antonio de Lima, was derived from a noble family which is mentioned in the year 1166;
but the line cannot be traced without interruption farther back than the year 1280, to one Alvaro da Gama,
from whom was descended Estevão da Gama, civil governor of Sines, whose third son Vasco was born
• Born in 1469 in Sines(small seaport in the province Alemtejo), Portugal
• Had 1 brother named Paulo da Gama
• His father was Estevão da Gama, he was the civil governor of Sines
• His mother's name was Isabel Sodré
• In 1488 Bartholomew Diaz found out that you could go around the tip of Africa
to Asia, to be more specific, India
• However Diaz's health was not very good so he could not make the journey to
explore the sea on the other side of Africa.
• Until 9 years later when Emanuel I (Manuel I) became king that preparations
began
• The king chose Vasco da Gama to lead this expedition
• The four ships (specially built for this task) to sail to the East were ready
• the sailors prayed and confessions were done in a small chapel where now is
the church of S. Maria de Belem. Afterwards made to mark the event
• Four months later they reached St. Helena Bay, south Africa and rounded the
Cape safely
• In the beginning of the next year they reached Malindi (east cost of Africa)
8HP Page 7
Executive summary: Portuguese explorer, conqueror, privateer
Portuguese navigator and discoverer of the sea route to India, was born at Sines, a small seaport in the
province of Alemtejo. Of da Gama's early history little is known. His descent, according to
the Nobiliario of Antonio de Lima, was derived from a noble family which is mentioned in the year 1166;
but the line cannot be traced without interruption farther back than the year 1280, to one Alvaro da Gama,
from whom was descended Estevão da Gama, civil governor of Sines, whose third son Vasco was born
probably about the year 1460. In that year died Prince Henry the Navigator, to whose intelligence and
foresight must be traced back all the fame that Portugal gained on the seas in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Explorers sent out at his instigation discovered the Azores and unknown regions on the African coast,
whence continually came reports of a great monarch, "who lived east of Benin, 350 leagues in the interior,
and who held both temporal and spiritual dominion over all the neighboring kings", a story which tallied so
remarkably with the accounts of Prester John which had been brought to the Peninsula by Abyssinian
priests, that John II of Portugal steadfastly resolved that both by sea and by land the attempt should be
made to reach the country of this potentate. For this purpose Pedro de Covilham and Affonso de Payva
were despatched eastward by land; whileBartholomew Diaz, in command of two vessels, was sent
westward by sea. That there was in truth an ocean highway to the East was proved by Diaz, who returned
in December 1488 with the report that when sailing southward he was carried far to the east by a
succession of fierce storms, past -- as he discovered only on his return voyage -- what he ascertained to be
the southern extremity of the African continent. The condition of John's health and concerns of state,
however, prevented the fitting out of the intended expedition; and it was not until nine years later, when
Emanuel I had succeeded to the throne, that the preparations for this great voyage were completed -hastened, doubtless, by Christopher Columbus' discovery of America in the meanwhile.
For, the supreme command of this expedition the king selected Vasco da Gama, who had in his youth
fought in the wars against Castille, and in his riper years gained distinction as an intrepid mariner. The
fleet, consisting of four vessels specially built for this mission, sailed down the Tagus on the 9th of July
1497, after prayers and confession made by the officers and crews in a small chapel on the site where now
stands the church of S. Maria de Belem, afterwards built to commemorate the event. Four months later the
flotilla cast anchor in St. Helena Bay, South Africa, rounded the Cape in safety, and in the beginning of the
next year reached Malindi, on the east coast of Africa. Thence, steering eastward, under the direction of a
pilot obtained from Indian merchants met with at this port, da Gama arrived at Calicut, on the Malabar
coast, on the 20th May 1498, and set up, according to the custom of his country, a marble pillar as a mark
of conquest and a proof of his discovery of India. His reception by the zamorin, or Hindu ruler of Calicut,
would have in all probability been favorable enough, had it not been for the jealousy of the Mahommedan
traders who, fearing for their gains, so incited the Hindus against the newcomers that da Gama was unable
to establish a Portuguese factory. Having seen enough of India to assure him of its great resources, he
returned to Portugal in September 1499. The king received him with every mark of distinction, granted
him the use of the prefix Dom, thus elevating him to the rank of an untitled noble, and conferred on him
pensions and other property. In prosecution of da Gama's discoveries another fleet of thirteen ships was
immediately sent out to India under Pedro Alvares Cabral, who, in sailing too far westward, by accident
discovered Brazil, and on reaching his destination established a factory at Calicut. The natives, again
instigated by the Mahommedan merchants, rose up in arms and murdered all whom Cabral had left behind.
To avenge this outrage a powerful armament of ten ships was fitted out at Lisbon, the command of which
was at first given to Cabral, but was afterwards transferred to da Gama, who received the title Admiral of
India (January 1502). A few weeks later the fleet sailed, and on reaching Calicut da Gama immediately
bombarded the town, treating its inhabitants with a savagery too horrible to describe. From Calicut he
proceeded in November to Cochin, doing all the harm he could on the way to all that he found at sea, and
having made favorable trading terms with it and with other towns on the coast, he returned to Lisbon in
September 1503, with richly laden ships. He and his captains were welcomed with great rejoicings and he
received additional privileges and revenues.
Soon after his return da Gama retired to his residence in Evora, possibly from pique at not obtaining so
high rewards as he expected, but more probably in order to enjoy the wealth and position which he had
acquired; for he was now one of the richest men in the kingdom. He had married, probably in 1500, a lady
of good family, named Catherina de Ataide, by whom he had six sons. According to Correa, he continued
to advise King Emanuel I on matters connected with India and maritime policy up to 1505, and there are
extant twelve documents dated 1507-22 which prove that he continued to enjoy the royal favor. The most
important of these is a grant dated December 1519 by which Vasco da Gama was created count of
Vidigueira, with the extraordinary privileges of civil and criminal jurisdiction and ecclesiastical patronage.
During this time the Portuguese conquests increased in the East, and were presided over by successive
viceroys. The fifth of these was so unfortunate that da Gama was recalled from his seclusion by Emanuel's
successor, John III, and nominated Viceroy of India, an honor which in April 1524 he left Lisbon to
assume. Arriving at Goa during September of the same year, he immediately set himself to correct with
vigor the many abuses which had crept in under the rule of his predecessors. He was not destined,
however, to prosecute far the reforms he had inaugurated, for, on the Christmas Eve following his arrival,
he died at Cochin after a short illness, and was buried in the Franciscan monastery there. In 1538 his body
was conveyed to Portugal and entombed in the town of Vidigueira. In 1880 what were supposed on
insufficient evidence to have been his remains were transferred to the church of Santa Maria de Belem.
His voyage had the immediate result of enriching Portugal, and raising her to one of the foremost places
among the nations of Europe, and eventually the far greater one of bringing to pass the colonization of the
East by opening its commerce to the Western world.
Father: Estêvão da Gama
Mother: Isabel Sodré
Brother: Paulo da Gama (d. scurvy)
Wife: Caterina de Ataíde (m. 1500, six children)
3
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/dagama.shtml
Vasco da Gama (1460-1524) was a Portuguese explorer who discovered an ocean route from Portugal to
the East.
Da Gama was born to a noble family in Sines, Portugal. Da Gama's father Estavao was also an explorer.
He was to have made the sea voyage from Portugal to India that eventually made his son famous, but the
elder da Gama died before completing the journey.
Vasco da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, on July 8, 1497, heading to the East. At the time, many
people thought that da Gama's trip would be impossible because it was assumed that the Indian Ocean was
not connected to any other seas. Da Gama's patron was King Manuel I of Portugal.
Da Gama rounded Africa's Cape of Good Hope on November 22, and continued on to India. After many
stops in Africa, and problems with Muslim traders who did not want interference in their profitable trade
routes, da Gama reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498.
At first, da Gama and his trading were well-received, but this did not last for long. 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.
Da Gama returned to Lisbon, Portugal, in September, 1499. Along the way many crew members died from
scurvy (a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C). Upon his return, da Gama was treated as a hero and was
8HP Page 8
• the sailors prayed and confessions were done in a small chapel where now is
the church of S. Maria de Belem. Afterwards made to mark the event
• Four months later they reached St. Helena Bay, south Africa and rounded the
Cape safely
• In the beginning of the next year they reached Malindi (east cost of Africa)
• Then going eastward giving directions by a pilot who came from Indian
merchants who they met
• Da Gama arrived in Calicut, on the Malabar coast, 20th may 1498
• He place a marble pillar to signify conquest and as proof of his discovery of
India.
• He met with the zamorin (Hindu ruler of Calicut) who didn't have anything
against him coming to India
• The Mahommendan traders, however, feared that their land routes and trading
done there won't be as successful with a sea route turned the Hindus against
da Gama's fleet
• Da Gama was unable to establish a Portuguese factory but he saw enough of
India to know that there were a lot of resources
• Returned to portugal in september 1499
• King rewarded him greatly
• After da Gama returned another fleet was sent out to India
• The other fleet was attacked and many people were killed
• The King was outraged and sent 10 powerful ships that were originally lead by
Cabral but later transferred to da Gama
• Da Gama was given the title Admiral of India (January 1502)
• arrived in Calicut (November)
• immediately attacked a town and did as much damage as he could
• He later went on to Cochin still doing as much harm as he could
• The people were scared and made trading terms that benefitted Portugal a lot
• He returned to Lisbon on September 1503 with lots of traded goods
• When he arrived he and his captains were welcomed with privileges and
revenues
• a little while later da Gama retired to live in Evora
• He was one of the richest men in Portugal
• He married Catherina de Ataide (1500) and had 6 sons
• He still advised King Emanuel I about things connected with India until 1505
• On December 1519 Vasco da Gama was given the privilege of civil and criminal
jurisdiction and ecclesiastical patronage.
• Around that time a lot of journeys to India were made
• Vasco da Gama was selected to be the Viceroy of India by John III (Emanuel's
successor)
• He left Lisbon on April 1524
• When he arrived in Goa (September 1524)he saw problems tried to fix them
• However when he finally arrived in India he died from an illness on the
24/12/1524
• He was buried in Franciscan monastery in India
• In 1538 his body was taken to Portugal and put in the town of Vidigueira
• In 1880 his body was transferred to the church of Santa Maria de Belem
• His journey brought many riches to Portugal
• Born in Sines, Portugal
• Part of noble family
• Father was also explorer
• Father died before making the trip to India
• Vasco Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal towards India on July 8, 1497
• A lot of people thought he couldn't do it because they believed that the Indian
ocean was not connected to the other seas
• His patron was King Manuel I of Portugal
• Went around Africa's Cape of Good Hope on November 22 and then went to
India
• Trip was interrupted by Muslim traders who didn't want him to reach India
because of their land trade route was very profitable and a sea route would
ruin that
• Had to stop in Africa many times for resources and other things
• Finally reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498 (almost a year journey)
• Trading was good at first
At first, da Gama and his trading were well-received, but this did not last for long. 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.
Da Gama returned to Lisbon, Portugal, in September, 1499. Along the way many crew members died from
scurvy (a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C). Upon his return, da Gama was treated as a hero and was
rewarded by the king.
King Manuel I of Portugal then sent da Gama, now an Admiral, on another expedition to India
(1502-1503). On this second trip, da Gama took 20 armed ships (anticipating problems from Muslim
traders). On this voyage, da Gama killed hundreds of Muslims, often brutally, in order to demonstrate his
power.
After King Manuel's death, King John III sent da Gama to India as a Portuguese viceroy (the King's
representative in India). Vasco da Gama died of an illness in India on December 24, 1524; his remains
were returned to Portugal for burial.
4
because of their land trade route was very profitable and a sea route would
ruin that
• Had to stop in Africa many times for resources and other things
• Finally reached Calicut, India on May 20, 1498 (almost a year journey)
• Trading was good at first
• When he left India (August 29, 1498) he had to pay a large tax and leave all of
his trading goods
• He ignored it and left India with all of his goods and some Indian hostages
• Returned to Lisbon, Portugal (September 1499)
• Many crew members died from scurvy (disease)
• When he returned he was a hero and was greatly rewards by the king
• Promoted to Admiral
• Sent on another trip to India (1502-1504)
• Took 20 armed ships (he thought Muslim traders would try to stop him like last
time)
• On this trip he killed hundreds of Muslims to demonstrate his power
• King Manuel died, King John III sent Vasco da Gama to India again this time as a
Portuguese viceroy (the Kings representative)
• When he was in India he died of an illness on December 24, 1524
• His body was taken back to Portugal for burial
• Born in Sines, Portugal 1460
• In 1497 was assigned to find a sea route to the East
• His achievement was important in the history of navigation
• He made 2 other trips to India and then was nominated as the Portuguese
viceroy in India in 1524
• Born into noble family
Explorer Vasco da Gama was born into a noble family around 1460 in Sines, Portugal. Little is known about his • Third son of Estvo da Gama
upbringing except that he was the third son of Estvo da Gama, who was commander of the fortress in Sines in • Estvo da Gama was commander of the fortress in Sines
• When da Gama was old enough he joined the navy
the southwestern pocket of Portugal. When he was old enough young Vasco da Gama joined the navy, where
• Learned how to navigate in the navy
was taught how to navigate.
• Was a tough and fearless navigator
Known as a tough and fearless navigator, da Gama helped solidify his reputation a reputable sailor when, in
• Was well known sailor
1492, King John II of Portugal dispatched him to the south of Lisbon and then to the Algarve region of the
• In 1492 King John II sent him to the south of Lisbon then to the Algarve region
country, to seize French ships as an act of vengeance against the French government for disrupting Portuguese
of Portugal to take French ships as revenge to the French for disrupting
shipping.
Portuguese shipping
Following his completion of King John II's orders, in 1495, King Manual took the throne, and the country
• After that King Manual became king and he wanted to explore and find a sea
route to India
revived its earlier mission to find a direct trade route to India. By this time, Portugal had established itself as
one of the most powerful maritime countries in Europe.
Explorer Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal around 1460. In 1497, he was commissioned by the
Portuguese king to find a maritime route to the East. His success in doing so proved to be one of the more
instrumental moments in the history of navigation. He subsequently made two other voyages to India, and was
nominated as Portuguese viceroy in India in 1524.
http://www.biography.com/people/vasco-da-gama-9305736>
8HP Page 9
Criteria
Thursday, September 27, 2012
8:38 PM
8HP Page 10
8HP Page 11
8HP Page 12
8HP Page 13