Vasco da Gama

By phoenixaurora
  • Jan 1, 1469

    Birth

    Birth
    born in Sines, a seaport on southwest coast of Portugal where a statue would be later built in honour of him for commanding first lfeet to reach India from Europe Childhood:
    - learned astronomy and navigation
    - attended school in town of Evora
    - father chosen to lead expedition to India but died before plans were completed
  • Period: Jan 1, 1469 to Dec 25, 1524

    Vasco da Gama's Life

  • Jan 1, 1492

    Naval Career

    Naval Career
    became a naval officer, commanded ships along coast of Portugal, was ordered by King John II to capture French ships in Portugal in retaliation for taking Portuguese property in France Portugal, farthest west of all European countries, far from supply routes, started to explore alternative routes to Asia from Atlantic Sea and Africa
  • Jul 8, 1497

    Expedition to India

    Expedition to India
    set sail from Lisbon, Portugal with 170 crew members on orders of King Manuel to open up trading options and bring back spices
    • took more than 3 months for first sight of land because went far into Atlantic to escape destructive currents
    • when fresh water was running low, food was cooked in salt water
    this sea route was major discovery because:
    ~ land routes were long, dangerous, and controlled by Muslims
    ~ expensive to pay Arabs for other sea routes, no control over own trade
  • Period: Jul 8, 1497 to Sep 9, 1499

    Voyage to India

  • May 20, 1498

    Calicut, India

    Calicut, India
    reached Calicut, India where he unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a trade agreement
    • first all-water trade route between Europe and Asia that was controlled by Europeans was completed
    • using this route, Portuguese sailors would later travel to the Spice Islands from India, expanding trade further East
  • Sep 9, 1499

    Return to Portugal

    Return to Portugal
    arrived in Lisbon where King Manuel gave him title as Admiral of the Sea of India, only 2 ships and 54 people (half the number he started with) survived expedtion proved that it was possible to sail around Africa to India
  • Period: Jan 1, 1502 to Jan 1, 1503

    Second Voyage

  • Feb 1, 1502

    New Portuguese Empire

    New Portuguese Empire
    • second voyage to India from Lisbon with 20 warships, the largest, most heavily armed fleet yet sent to Asia
    • goal was to establish and expand trade, to destroy Arab trade empire, seize control of spice trade from Arabs, and to punish hostile locals from last voyage
    • was successful, helped make Portugal one of the most important trading and naval countries in Indian Ocean
  • Jan 1, 1503

    Retirement

    Retirement
    returned from second voyage to India, retired from seafaring career
  • Dec 29, 1519

    Count of Vidigueira

    Count of Vidigueira
    -title awarded by King Manuel I, allowing him to collect taxes and rents from the villages of Vidigueira and Vila de Frades -this title could be passed on to his heirs
  • Period: Dec 29, 1519 to Dec 25, 1524

    Last Voyage

  • Apr 9, 1524

    Viceroy of India

    Viceroy of India
    King John III named him Viceroy of India and ordered him to return to India to strengthen trading position
  • Sep 1, 1524

    Final Destination

    Final Destination
    arrived on Malabar Coast and reformed Portuguese trade colony in India
  • Dec 25, 1524

    Death

    Death
    Died of malaria while serving as royal governor in Cochin, India. By then, Portugal had built up their own trade empire and become one of the richest nations in Europe, shifting power from Italy.