Transcript Asia Exploration and Trade

CALICUT AND THE SOUTHERN INDIAN COAST.
Asia
Vasco da Gama
o Vasco da Gama was
one of the most
successful Portuguese
explorers.
o Using knowledge
from Bartolommeu
Dias’ and other
voyages Da Gama was
charged with the task
of sailing to the
riches of India.
o With a fleet of four
ships and 170 men da
Gama left Lisbon
Portugal for the
unknown.
“It was July—they walked in solemn
procession to the shore, lighted
“But the sea was all broken with
candles in their hands, priests
storm, high rolled the waves, and so
chanting a solemn litany as they
short were the days that darkness
walked. The beach was crowded
prevailed. The crews grew sick with
with people. Under the blazing
fear and hardship, and all
summer sun they knelt once more
clamored to put back to Portugal.”
before taking leave of the weeping
multitudes”
After passing Cape
Verde Vasco da
Gama sailed
southwest to avoid
strong currents
at one point
coming within 600
miles of South
America
Da Gama
rests at the
Quilimane
River as his
crew suffers
from scurvy
Da Gama
passed the
Great Fish
River, the
farthest Dias
ever sailed
A quick
note on
scurvy
o Scurvy is a disease contracted from the lack of
vitamin c within the body.
o The symptoms of scurvy include: spots on the
skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from the mucous
membranes.
o Advanced symptoms include: the development
of open pussy wounds, and tooth loss.
o Scurvy can be cured by a simple diet of citrus
fruits, thank you for your time.
Da Gama reached
Calicut India
after almost a
year of sailing
Opening a new
era of trade for
Europe and Asia.
During his three visits Da Gama Earned a reputation in the Indian
Ocean for his ruthlessness.
o He was a driven man who would do anything to complete his
mission
o Da Gama resorted to piracy when provisions were low and was
known to torture and kill muslims (no matter what the age) to
get what he wanted.
SOL
Creation of empires
and destruction of
native peoples.
Afonso de
Albuquerque
o Afonso de Albuquerque
was a Portuguese nobleman
who commanded the
successful captures of key
Muslim ports in the Indian
Ocean and Persian Gulf.
o Albuquerque seized the
important port of Goa in
Southwestern India which
became the Dutch
administrative seat of
power in the region,
winning him the title “Duke
of Goa.”
o Albuquerque like da gama
had no qualms about
executing his tasks to the
fullest, ordering in one
instance the murder of
every Muslim in the city of
Malacca.
Portuguese Possessions in Asia and Africa
With the Help of some
controversial figures the
Portuguese led the way in
European sea exploration. Yet as
quickly as it ascended Portugal
would decline due to its
inability to finance such an
expensive enterprise such as
colonization.
SOL
Africa: European trading
posts along the coast, trade in
slaves, gold, and other
products.
The Spice Islands were a
string of volcanic
Islands who’s fertile soil
sustained exotic and
expensive spices.
After the Spanish Armada
was defeated in 1588 and as
Portuguese influence in the
region began to decline
new powers sought to tap
the riches of the far east.
VOC
o The Dutch East India
company was The first
multinational
corporation and the
first company to offer
stocks, its powers
included: the ability to
wage war, make
currency, and create
colonies.
o Some of its colonial
possessions included:
The cape of good hope,
java, Sumatra, and a
trading post in Japan.
o Since the Dutch had
little interest in
converting indigenous
peoples they were able
to gain a foothold in
more areas of trade
than countries such as
Spain.
The British East
India Company
o The East India trade
company was given royal
permission by Elizabeth I to
hold a monopoly for trade
between the British Isles and
the East Indies, eventually
expanding to the Indian
subcontinent and china.
o The company mostly
traded in cotton, silk, tea,
and opium.
o The company would come
to rule India itself for 100
SOL
years.
Asia: Influence of trading
companies (Portuguese,
Dutch, British)
Other nations which had a hand in Indian trade