Chapter Review The Epic First Voyage

Chapter Review The Epic First Voyage The chapter under analysis introduces the details of the formation of Vasco da Gama’s first trip to India. It traces the progress of expedition from the African coast to the Cape of Good Hope in late 1497. The focus of the chapter is made on Da Gama’s relations with the indigenous population of South Africa, as well as the difficulties the explorer faced while invading Swahili coast in 1948, particularly the prevalence of the Muslim world.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter Review: The Epic First Voyage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In particular, Da Gama had to resist the attack of the local sultan on the Portuguese fleet. The final destination of the traveler was Malindi, the place where Da Gama had to gain experience in navigating the fleet to India across the Arabian Sea. While describing the details of the journey, the chapter points out the way the Portuguese fleet under the auspices of Va sco da Gama confronted different cultures, religions, and societies in the pursuit of new scientific and technological discoveries. From the very beginning, the author introduces the detailed description of ships that were chosen for the trip. Specific attention was given to the preparations made by the Bartolommeo Dias who ensured the comfort, seaworthiness, and space for Vasca Da Gama and his crew. The choice of the emblem and flagship was also an important issue for the trip and the chapters provides a detailed account of this process. There are many other preliminary processes and preparations that are described in the chapter to emphasize the essence of da Gama’s readiness to discover new lands and possibility for economic and commercial development in his country. Further deliberations in the chapter are dedicated to the challenges that the Portuguese crew faced while dealing with the Arabian and Indian indigenous population. Within this context, the author describes th e first encounters of da Gama’s crew with African tribes: â€Å"The Khoikhoi had also learned to forge metals, and, beginning about 1300m they had then spread south to the Cape region usually in individual clan organizations numbering in the hundreds that may been part of largely loosely structure political groups† ( Ames 28-29). Although the voyagers were not concerned much with customs and traditions of the indigenous population, they were still involved in cultural interaction through commercial activities. The main objects of trade were honey, spices, copper, and gold. Apart from Khoikhoi, da Gama and his crew also had an interesting experience in establishing relations with Nguni tribes.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Detailed overview of the Da Gama voyages, as well as their encounters with the African tribes, reflects the author’s main themes and t opics examined in the book. In particular, the author attains much importance to the analysis of cultural interaction between the European and the African people. More importantly, the detailed description of their experiences also reveals the reactions and perceptions of the Portuguese people toward alien cultures. A thorough examination of customs and traditions, as well as religious issues, also provides a better picture of how social and economic life developed in Portugal and other countries in fifteenth and sixteenth century. Further details exposed in the chapter are dedicated to the analysis of Muslim world and its religious influence on commercial relations. Trade activities on the Swahili Coast provided the Portuguese travelers with the valuable experience, as well as expanded their knowledge about cultural and religious peculiarities of communication. While establishing favorable relationships with the Arab world, da Gama’s crew was not recognized as supporters of Christianity. On the contrary, most of the Muslims could even believe that the foreigners can have deep knowledge of their religion. In the course of explorations, Vasco da Gama did not only master the art of commerce, but also gained greater awareness of the influence and importance of culture in fostering trade relations. Once again, the author emphasizes these cross-cultural relations standing at the core of the global economic and social development. More importantly, the chapter highlights the impact of Christianity on the development of economic and commercial roots between the Western and Eastern world, as well as da Gama’s contributions to these developments. Further in the chapter, the author attains much importance to the aspects of cordiality and hospitality as the underpinnings for establishing fruitful relations between the two economies. Da Gama, therefore, was a pioneer applying cultural knowledge to enriching practical skills of cultural interaction. To explai n the process of cultural integration, the author refers to the depiction of da Gama’s initiatives in arranging the dinner Arab negotiators. Hence, creating a hospital and friendly atmosphere was the first step in forwarding successful exchange of products. Demonstrating respect for the Muslim religion was another efficient approach that da Gama applied to gain confidence in foreign traders. In particular, the explorer kept the Koran so as to demonstrate respect for religion and culture.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter Review: The Epic First Voyage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More While managing conflicts, da Gama’s expedition crew proved that trade relations could be based on the principle of expressing both cordiality and power. In fact, the explorers demonstrated that they were able to protect themselves and attack the foreigners. In this respect, the chapter provides an example of da Gamaâ €™s capture of several African Muslims during negotiations to demonstrate their ability to protect and defeat. Thus, although peaceful intentions on the part of da Gama’s crew were obvious, the two sides of commercial debates were on the guard of expressing hostilities. Despite these challenges, the Portuguese merchants ready to avoid critical situations and reach the consensus over the terms of the commodity exchange. Despite the success in managing foreign negotiation, da Gama and his crew faces serious challenges and conflict with the indigenous population in Africa. The experience described in the chapter can also serve as a valuable guide in the modern world of trade and commerce to avoid conflict situations. More importantly, the emerged contradictions also show the situations under which the negotiations were conducted. Understanding the details presented in the chronological order, one can trace valuable patterns of arranging trade and shaping a favorable climate for promoting commercial activities. Highlights from da Gama’s dramatic life provide an extensive overview of trade issues in a broader context. As the explorer conquered new cultural and territorial boundaries, he made more valuable contributions to the evaluation and development of new markets that are still considered in the modern world. Although the chapter exposes a chronological, detailed account of Vasco da Gama’s life, accurate and day-by-day description often prevents the reader from deducing important information about the role of the Portuguese explorations in shaping economic and commercial relations at the international market. Nevertheless, heavy reliance on details allows the readers to understand the evidence-based approach used by the author to render the importance of historic events. While exploring the African territories and India, Vasco da Gama and his people revealed themselves as exceptional seamen, skillful military leaders, and peaceful negot iators. By trials and errors, the Portuguese fleet gained much experience in negotiating with African and Indian indigenous population. Using hospitality and cordiality as the basis for establishing commercial relations, the crew discovered efficient marketing strategies that fostered trade activities and widened the European influence on the Muslim world.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More While confronting the religious issues in the Indian world, da Gama faced less friction with the indigenous population. In particular, the chapter provides an overview of the crew’s experience in communicating with the Indian Christian and analyzing the differences in their perception of religion. In addition, the explorers paid close attention to the role of language in successful interaction and negotiation with both Africans and Indian peoples. In conclusion, it should be stated that the chapter provides a detailed account of the journey of the Portuguese fleet, particularly their experience in facing different cultures, societies and religions. The chapter also focuses on aspects that have a potent impact on the development of fruitful commercial relations in the Muslim world and India. By evaluating the commercial techniques, the author points out the contributions of Vasco da Gama and his crew to the development of international relations, as well as to trade activities between the Western and Easten world. More importantly, the biographical account also fosters readers’ understanding of how commerce has been developing in the course of time. Finally, the overview of the historic journey provides a wider picture of confrontations and conflicts between cultures, as well as how those confrontations were managed by the parties. Ames, Glen. The First Epic Voyage: Preparations and the Coasts of Africa. Vasco da Gama: Renaissance Crusader. Ed. Glen Ames. New York: Pearson, 2004. Print. 17-43