Vasco da Gama

Definition

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and one of the most successful in Europe's Age of Discovery. He was known for his voyage from Europe around Africa to India, establishing a sea route that opened up trade between Europe and Asia.

Historical Context

Vasco da Gama (c. 1460s–1524) was a Portuguese explorer during the Age of Discovery, a period characterized by European global exploration. In the late 15th century, Portugal, under Prince Henry the Navigator's influence, sought new trade routes to access spices and other goods from Asia. Vasco da Gama's successful voyage around Africa to India in 1497-1499 represented a pivotal moment in this quest.

Historical Significance

Vasco da Gama's maritime journey to India marked the first time a European reached Asia by sea, linking Europe and Asia directly and inaugurating a sea-based phase of global multicultural interactions. His voyages set the stage for the Portuguese Empire's establishment in the Indian Ocean, heralding an era of European colonialism and domination that would reshape world trade and geopolitics for centuries.

Related terms

Spice Trade Route: The historical movement of spices from Asia through Indian Ocean routes to Europe. It's like the highway system for spices.

Age of Discovery: As mentioned earlier, this is a period when Europeans explored the world extensively.

Portuguese Empire: This was an early global empire established by Portugal during the Age of Discovery. Think of it as a multinational corporation setting up branches worldwide.