How a single man managed to create a great imperial power: Vasco da Gama

The explorations and accomplishments of Vasco da Gama changed Portugal from a poor nation to one of the worlds greatest powers. His persona and exploits distinguished him as an influential pioneer who helped shape Portugal as a nation for the next 100 years.

Vasco da Gama was born sometime in the 1460s near the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Born into a wealthy and respected family of high-ranking soldiers, Gama also trained to be a soldier, although he was more interested in boats and navigation.

When Gama was appointed to man an African slave boat on a small mission, he showed his skills as a navigator and was eventually promoted to captain. Over time, Gama became known as a talented navigator.

Gama set out on his most important journey on July 8, 1497, sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to find a sea route to India. Portugal was hoping to establish direct trade with India to avoid the high tariffs charged by Arabs, who controlled trade throughout the Mediterranean at the time.

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The lucrative spice trade would increase Portugals wealth immeasurably. Gama consulted Bartolomeu Dias, the only man to sail around the Cape, about potential dangers and the most efficient way of circling the Cape. Dias advised him to go in a large arc to avoid coastal tides and fierce storms. He also told him, One more thing. Watch your men for mutiny. If my own hadnt rebelled I might have reached India seven years ago (Syme 21) . This advice saved Gama time and prevented possible catastrophe.

Gama was at sea for over three months without seeing land, the longest period ever experienced by a crew, and was not threatened by mutiny. This was because he had the trust and respect of his crew, without which he would have been unable to complete his mission to find the route to India.

Gama set off with four ships, the Sao Gabriel which carried about 240 tons, the Sao Rafael , 200 tons, the Sao Maria,150 tons, and the Berrio, a little vessel brought along for its maneuverability in case of battle. He planned to fill the ships with spices and other desirable goods to take back to Portugal. The voyage to the Cape was long, but Gamas leadership skills prevented mutiny and kept the crew in high spirits.

Gamas first stop was St. Helenas Bay, about 100 miles away from the Cape of Good Hope. There he traded bells and tin rings for spices and gold with the local tribe known as the Hottentots. Gama made only a few more short stops before arriving at Malindi, a small port on the eastern coast of Africa. Here the local sultan provided Gama with fresh water, fruits and vegetables and a much-needed navigator for the treacherous trip across the Indian Ocean. Once Gama arrived in India he was not given much of a welcome, and did not trade many goods because the Indians viewed the Portuguese tin rings and bells as trash. Although he did not return to Portugal with as many goods as expected, Gama did succeed in establishing a trade agreement with India that allowed the two nations to trade directly.

Vasco da Gama was an influential person of his time. Gama was a pioneer in many different areas. He was the first person to sail for over three months without seeing land, the first person to find a passageway to India around Africa, and he was a strong leader who avoided mutiny due to the respect of his crew. Gama achieved these accomplishments because of his immense influence on people. Some members of his crew before the voyage were quoted, Not a man [Gama] to rouse to anger, Ive heard stories about what hes like in a temper. A devil spitting fire, so they say (Syme 28)! A second member of the crew responded Aye, but hes surely the best man to lead us to this distant land of India. Hes never lost a ship in all his years at sea, or known a mutiny either. Hell give justice to those who obey his orders, whatever he might do to the others (Syme 28-32). These quotes explain how well respected Gama was. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that Gama had an inexplicably harsh attitude because of the years he spent in the slave trade. A second reason is because of his unwillingness to fail because it would bring disgrace on the Gama surname.

Gama not only influenced Portugal, but also Africa. Gama named many landmarks and various peoples living in Southern Africa because he was the first European to travel there. One such example is the area of coastal land east of the Cape of Good Hope known as Natal. Because he was there during the Christmas season, Gama gave the coast the name Natal, which is the Portuguese word for Christmas. The name is still used today as part of the country of South Africa. Vasco da Gamas travels and accomplishments revolutionized Portugal. The small country was transformed by Gamas treaty with India that allowed direct trade. Trading directly with India kept prices low in Portugal and also allowed Portugal to sell goods at inflated prices to other countries. Portugal became one of the most powerful and wealthy nations in the world and remained so for approximately the next one hundred years.