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.
"Vasco da Gama" appears in:
Subjects (1)
AP European History
Study guides (2)
AP World History: Modern - 1.7 Comparisons in the Period from 1200-1450
AP World History: Modern - 4.1 Technological Innovations from 1450 to 1750
Practice Questions (3)
How might history be different if Vasco da Gama had failed to establish a sea route from Europe to India via the Cape of Good Hope?
What was one direct result of Vasco da Gama's journey to India?
What was a significant outcome of Vasco da Gama's exploration around Africa to India?
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About Us
About Fiveable
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CCPA Privacy Policy
Resources
Cram Mode
AP Score Calculators
Study Guides
Practice Quizzes
Glossary
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Crisis Text Line
Help Center
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.