http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasco_de_gama
Your guess will be as good as anyone's!! Read the section called Early Life.
Other websites with not much more information:
http://www.google.com/search?q=vasco+de+gama&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA
=)
WHY DID VASCO DA GAMA EXPLORE
In addition to the above answer please consider the following.
Your teacher in asking the question about Vasco DeGama could have one or both of the following ideas in mind expected outcome of the answers.
Idea # 1 Vasco De Gama was a great explorer in his own right. I visited Portugal several years ago and was surprised to see the large number of monuments to him in that country. Just about any place in Portugal has remembrances of Vaso DeGama. If memory serves me correctly a major bridge out of Lisbon (the capital) is named for him. He is a national hero, very much in the same way that Columbus even today is honored by Italians and Italian Americans. In the sites already provided to you can determine some of he reasons for his voyages and the importance of India to Portugal and Europe.
Idea # 2 In class you probably will be studying the motivations of the discovers, explores and conquerors.
Usually the motivation for the explores are summarized by the phrase "god, gold and glory" Think about which ones apply to Vasco DeGama and then to others in the Age of Exploration.
I hope that this information is helpful.
Vasco da Gama explored for several reasons, including economic, political, and religious motivations. It's important to note that Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who lived during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries.
To understand why Vasco da Gama explored, you can refer to the provided Wikipedia link and read the section titled "Early Life" for detailed information about his motivations and background.
Additionally, you can use the Google search link to find more websites with information about Vasco da Gama. However, when using search engines like Google, it's essential to critically evaluate the information you find and consider the reliability and credibility of the sources.
In terms of possible ideas your teacher might have in mind, Idea #1 suggests that Vasco da Gama was a significant explorer, widely recognized and celebrated in Portugal. Understanding his importance and the monuments dedicated to him can provide insights into his achievements and impact.
Idea #2 mentions the motivation behind explorers' voyages, summed up as "god, gold, and glory." Considering which of these motivations applied to Vasco da Gama and comparing them with other explorers of the Age of Exploration can provide a broader context for understanding the motives behind their expeditions.
Overall, knowledge about Vasco da Gama's early life, motivations, and the historical context of the Age of Exploration will help you answer the question of why he explored.
Vasco da Gama explored for several reasons. One reason was to find an alternative sea route to India. During that time, the Ottomans controlled the land routes to India, making it difficult for European traders to access the valuable goods from the East. Da Gama's voyages aimed to establish a direct sea route to India, bypassing the Ottomans.
Another reason for his exploration was to establish trade relations and secure profitable trading routes for Portugal. By finding new trade routes, Portugal could gain a monopoly on the spice trade and other valuable goods, leading to economic growth and wealth for the nation.
Lastly, da Gama's exploration also had a sense of adventure and the desire for glory. Exploration during that time was highly regarded, and successful voyages were celebrated and brought prestige to the explorers and their nations.
These motivations align with the general motives of explorers during the Age of Exploration, which were often summarized as "god, gold, and glory."