trade simulation 2

Vasco De Gama Trade Simulation:

You have been recruited to join Captain De Gama and his voyage to the far East. He has been commissioned by the government to set sail for new trade routes to the mysterious “East.”

You’ve been enchanted by wonderful stories, and you’ve heard about this far-off magical place. You’ve heard of precious silks, spices, wondrous grand cities, peoples of different appearances,

which you’ve never seen before! But you’ve also heard of the dangers too, it’s a difficult mission sailing to the East, and many sailors have been deserted or lost at sea, it’s an arduous journey and it will require much patience.

Goal: Work with your team of fellow sailors to complete following tasks below. Listen

carefully, and keep in mind no trip is complete without a few “bumps in the road.” Make good decisions as a team. Your goal is to reach the coastal Swahili trading states to exchange commodities and ideas. Some of which will have positive and negative consequences.

You must complete the following tasks and listen carefully to new developments about your

trip; it will require you to make changes to your intended journey. Good luck. God speed. Tasks:

Choose a boat Choose and stow cargo. You must your ship(s) and 3 pieces of cargo.

Greet your team of fellow sailors, including your Captain, Vasco De Gama. Everyone must choose a character card.

Use the provided map and determine your route. You will have to make several stops at

ports along the way. You will also have to use the geography to your advantage. Listen carefully, I’ll describe changes and you’ll have to make adjustments to your routes.

Interact with foreigners. Determine what commodities to exchange and how to become prosperous merchants! Bring back a special gift for the King as a token of your appreciation.

Make a list of commodities that are exchanged as you travel and remember to bring a souvenir home. A word of caution, the King has given you a mandate or command “he wants you to

destroy Moorish* influence and if need be, destroy and loot African trading cities.” (*The Portuguese used the term “Moors” to refer to all Muslims, whether they were Arabs,

Africans, Persians, Indians or Malays”)

Part One: Greet Your Ship! Each member of your team will choose one of the follow roles randomly. Keep your card handy. Your fellow group members might need your skills to

successfully complete the mission.

Missionary:

You are a devout Catholic and your purpose for travel is clear: you need to teach foreigners about your religion, Christianity. You have attended school for many years and you‘ve come

from a wealthy family. You are hopeful that people will accept your God as you do, and you believe that salvation, the saving of their souls from damnation, is your life’s work.

Pedro Escobar

You are very knowledge about navigation and you are an experienced explorer, you’ve already

discovered Sao Tome and Principe! You expertise is valued. Additionally, you’ve also attended university and learned a great deal about the astrolabe and gnomon. See descriptions below.

The Astrolabe:

The first part of its name comes from the same Greek word that gave us "astronomy" - aster, or

star - and the second derives from a Greek word meaning take, grasp, or determine. So the name can be translated as "star-finder" or "star-taker." The astrolabe is an instrument that provides a

picture of how the sky looks at the observer's latitude and time. It has moveable parts that allow it to be set for specific dates and times, and interchangeable templates that allow latitude to be set. Besides showing the position of the sun and stars, the astrolabe can measured the altitude of

the body, and the Mariner's Astrolabe eliminated all the parts that weren't necessary for this use.

Gnomon:

A gnomon was a helpful tool that operated like a sun dial and could keep track of time, which was important because you will need to anticipate changes in wind direction (trade winds) based

on the time of year.

Sailor:

You understand what risks you are taking on this journey, but it sure beats living in the dark ages where disease is rampant and living conditions continue become less sanitary and safe. You are

used to taking long trips away from your family, and while it is hard, if your trip is profitable, your family might be able to afford a better life. You’ve heard rumors about beasts and glorious jewels, silks, porcelain, gold, ivory and slaves from the East. You take orders well, and

understand that this journey is treacherous. You are also knowledgeable about Navigation, but you were always taught that any good sailor can navigate by the stars. You have good instincts.

You are brave too! It is well-known fact that the “Cape of Storms” (present-day Cape of Good

Hope) at the Southern-most tip of Africa, is very dangerous. This trip is risky and many of died trying sail around the cape, you’ve received good advice to head due west around the coast of

West Africa to avoid a change in wind currents. Many sailors have struggled to make it around the western hook of Africa because the winds change from south to north around the Cape of Bajador. You’ll either want to invest in technology to sail against the wind, travel west, or risk

losing men, ships and cargo. It’s a good idea to have a ship that sails high on the waves and sails windward.

Sailor:

You understand what risks you are taking on this journey, but it sure beats living in the dark ages where disease is rampant and living conditions continue become less sanitary and safe. You are used to taking long trips away from your family, and while it is hard, if your trip is profitable,

your family might be able to afford a better life. You’ve heard rumors about beasts and glorious jewels, silks, porcelain, gold, ivory and slaves from the East. You take orders well, and

understand that this journey is treacherous. You are also knowledgeable about Navigation, but you were always taught that any good sailor can navigate by the stars. You have good instincts.

You are brave too! It is well-known fact that the “Cape of Storms” (present-day Cape of Good Hope) at the Southern-most tip of Africa, is very dangerous. This trip is risky and many of died

trying sail around the cape, you’ve received good advice to head due west around the coast of West Africa to avoid a change in wind currents. Many sailors have struggled to make it around the western hook of Africa because the winds change from south to north around the Cape of

Bajador. You’ll either want to invest in technology to sail against the wind, travel west, or risk losing men, ships and cargo. It’s a good idea to have a ship that sails high on the waves and sails windward.

Sailor:

You understand what risks you are taking on this journey, but it sure beats living in the dark ages where disease is rampant and living conditions continue become less sanitary and safe. You are used to taking long trips away from your family, and while it is hard, if your trip is profitable,

your family might be able to afford a better life. You’ve heard rumors about beasts and glorious jewels, silks, porcelain, gold, ivory and slaves from the East. You take orders well, and

understand that this journey is treacherous. You are also knowledgeable about Navigation, but you were always taught that any good sailor can navigate by the stars. You have good instincts.

You are brave too! It is well-known fact that the “Cape of Storms” (present-day Cape of Good Hope) at the Southern-most tip of Africa, is very dangerous. This trip is risky and many of died

trying sail around the cape, you’ve received good advice to head due west around the coast of West Africa to avoid a change in wind currents. Many sailors have struggled to make it around the western hook of Africa because the winds change from south to north around the Cape of

Bajador. You’ll either want to invest in technology to sail against the wind, travel west, or risk losing men, ships and cargo. It’s a good idea to have a ship that sails high on the waves and sails

windward.

Sailor:

You understand what risks you are taking on this journey, but it sure beats living in the dark ages

where disease is rampant and living conditions continue become less sanitary and safe. You are used to taking long trips away from your family, and while it is hard, if your trip is profitable, your family might be able to afford a better life. You’ve heard rumors about beasts and glorious

jewels, silks, porcelain, gold, ivory and slaves from the East. You take orders well, and understand that this journey is treacherous. You are also knowledgeable about Navigation, but

you were always taught that any good sailor can navigate by the stars. You have good instincts. You are brave too! It is well-known fact that the “Cape of Storms” (present-day Cape of Good

Hope) at the Southern-most tip of Africa, is very dangerous. This trip is risky and many of died trying to sail around the cape, you’ve received good advice to head due west around the coast of

West Africa to avoid a change in wind currents. Many sailors have struggled to make it around the western hook of Africa because the winds change from south to north around the Cape of Bajador. You’ll either want to invest in technology to sail against the wind, travel west, or risk

losing men, ships and cargo. It’s a good idea to have a ship that sails high on the waves and sails windward.

Vasco De Gama:

The King and several other patrons, some from your own family have commissioned your grand

(and expensive) voyage, and they all expect results, most importantly: they want to get rich! To lead this voyage, you got into a terrible argument with your brother your Paulo and unfortunately that relationship will never again be the same. While you fought for this position, unfortunately,

you lack experience and while you’ll never admit it to your crew of men, you are anxious about this adventure. You must keep control of your men and reach your final destination: the rich

trading port of Kilwa. You are also determined to make you king proud and you intend to erect padres or large stone pillars in his honor. You’ve have some prejudice towards peoples of the East as well, and you are not a skillful arbitrator, and when you have to make business deals you

often prefer to use force or you rely on your ignorance. In fact, many people find you to be a bit irritating and standoffish. Good luck sailing into uncharted waters!

And one last piece of advice, keep an eye on your crew. If you sense that any of your men are disloyal you can have the right to “remove them from your ship immediately.” Of course, these

men possess talents and skills that you need. It will be a difficult choice to bear, but mutiny is unacceptable.

Interpreters (Arabic)

You have been chosen to join the voyage to Kilwa and your skills will come in handy once it is time to trade your commodities if you reach your final destination. You will handle all trade

relations with Arab and Persian merchants. You will conduct all trade dealings concerning salt, silk, spices, and slaves.

Interpreters (Arabic)

You have been chosen to join the voyage to Kilwa and your skills will come in handy once it is

time to trade your commodities if you reach your final destination. You will handle all trade relations with Arab and Persian merchants. You will conduct all trade dealings concerning salt, silk, spices, and slaves.

Interpreter (Bantu)

You have been chosen to join the voyage to Kilwa and your skills will come in handy once it is

time for you to trade your commodities with other Swahili merchants. You speak a little Arabic too, though you try not to flaunt this too openly. You can conduct all trade dealings. You are a

skillful and experience bargainer. You are secretly aware that the gold and ivory market is highly-profitable and you intend become very wealthy from this trade.

Part Two: Choose Your Ship(s): You have 1000 dollars to spend. Which ones will your purchase? Make a good group decision! Remember you have a crew of almost 200 men plus

cargo that you will have to stow on your ship as well. It would be wise to purchase several boats.

Option 1: The Caravel

The Caravel is an excellent choice! The caravel was used widely throughout the 15th and 16th

centuries. It has a distinctive shape and many admirable qualities. A gently sloping bow and single stern castle were some of its defining features. It most important feature is ability to sail

“windward,” which will be crucial for your own trip to Kilwa. This ship is often chosen by sailors who are ready to make a long, arduous journey to the “New World” or “The East.” Christopher Columbus just recently purchased two of these beauties!

Price: $400.00

Option 2: Krarr

The knarr, a relative of the longship, was a type of cargo vessel. It differed from the longship in

that it was larger and relied almost entirely on its square-rigged sail for to move forward. This ship is perfect for storing cargo, but it’s rigging can make sailing “windward” difficult.

Price: $150.00

Option 3: Carrack or Nau

A carrack or nau is a three- or four-masted ship and it has been a great choice for sailors making the journey across the Atlantic to the “New World.” It’s been used widely by the Portugese (you!) and later by the Spanish, to explore and map the world. Carracks are great

ocean-going ships: large enough to be stable in heavy seas, and roomy enough to stowe away cargo!

Price: 350.00

Option 4: The Galleon

The Galleon is any sea-farers dream! It’s been specially crafted for journeys just like yours. It’s

most impressive feature is how it’s designed to ride high on the waves. It’s spacious too and carry a lot of cargo. A new feature also includes cannons, which will be perfect for looting and

destroying cities and collecting slaves to sell. It’s powered entirely by winds too, and capable of riding those trade winds to the East, faster and more efficiently than any other ship on the market. This ship will make your travels to the “East” a breeze.

Price: $600.00

Part III: Choose Your Cargo! Now, you must choose your cargo and you have a budget of $1000.00

Padro: A Padro is a stone pillar that would mark different areas of new discovery. Your captain, Vasco De Gama, is a bit proud and perhaps even over-zealous, he is eager to mark his new discoveries with this heavy 500lb. pillars.

Price: $100.00 each

Cannons:

Though expensive, this cutting-edge technology ensures a victorious win in any battle. Using gunpowder which was collected from China and iron-making, this beauty can ensure your safe passage into dangerous, uncharted waters. (weight: 700 lbs)

Price: 200.00

Extra Food Stores

For this long journey it will be important that you and all the men on board maintain good health. Scurvy is a common illness at sea, and although you captain believes this not to be a problem,

good sailors now how important it is to get critical lacking vitamin C. Price: $50.00 for 50 lbs.

Conflict Cards:

(only for those who purchased a Galleon or Caravel)

1. Your fleet of ships are carrying too much cargo and men, and it’s making your

navigation difficult and you need to make some decisions about what will go. You need to become 700lbs. lighter to make the journey. If you happen to be near a port city, perhaps you can trade the cargo, but if you are at sea, it must go overboard. Return lost

cargo to your envelope.

2. **TOP SECRET: FOR SAILORS ONLY** (discuss in the hallway)

There have been some disagreements on board, and while De Gama rules with an iron fist a small group of men have been meeting at night in the bunks to discuss an overthrow of

their captain. They find is arrogance barbaric and now with so many men sick suddenly getting ill, you are wondering if it is time to revolt against him. Sailors, meet privately

and discuss whether you want to revolt and take over, or continue to trust and guide your Captain. If the captain finds out what you are planning to do, it’s likely that he’ll toss your overboard… tread carefully.

3. You’ve started to notice that some of the sailors are short of breath. A few sailors have

even complained of bone pain, and just recently, overnight, 2 sailors died suddenly. Before they died they developed a strange fever and their skin was yellowish. The food is mostly rotten now and some might have even gone overboard. Unfortunately, you no

longer have the counsel and advice of these brave men and you have to return back to Lisbon and recruit new sailors. If you still have money, perhaps, this time you want to

invest in buying some fruit! If you still have money to buy food stores, plot out another route to East. If you do not have any money left your adventure is over.

4. Hopefully you’ve heeded the words of advice that sailors have passed on. If you headed due west to avoid the changing wind currents you can continue on your journey.

However, if you have not, and you decided to stick close to the shore and the Cape of Bajador, you’ll have to return home to Lisbon. Better luck next time.

5. Fortune favors the bold! You’ve discovered how to use the trade winds an, lucky you, you’ve recruited some new sailors to join your team. Each team can recruit one sailor

from another team, of Captain De Gama gets the final “say” in the matter.

6. Oh no! The Karr and Carrack are not to savvy on the seas. If you’ve purchased these

ships, they are sadly “lost at sea” as well as some of the crew on board. The missionary will be holding religious service before the bodies are given a proper sea burial, including

the loss of your Arabic translators.

7. Second Chance: Some groups might have had to return to Lisbon, and yet some

individuals might possess some skills that are important for your voyage. You can recruit new team members based on the skills and trades that they possess. Work together as a

team, but your captain will make the final selections.

8. If you stopped in Madagascar, you unfortunately were tied up with changing wind patterns and as the men on board grew restless. Your Bantu interpreter decided to

abandon ship and live among other Bantu-speaking natives. Alas, the weather will clear tomorrow and you’ll continue to journey on then.

9. Mombasa is experiencing significant political turmoil. If you’ve decided to stop in

Mombasa to trade, unfortunately, your cargo has been looted and stolen. Unfortunately,

you even lost a brave man, Pedro Escobar, he was trying to fend off an invader but was overwhelmed by the number of men and sadly he died. The missionary will hold services

in the morning.

10. Stormy weather has made travel difficult. If you still have Pedro Escobar on board, the

wonderful navigator, he can use his knowledge of the astrolabe and gnomon to guide you to final destination, but alas, if he like so many others has fallen victim to this terrible

voyage, it’s time for you to return back to Lisbon with what cargo and men you have left.

11. If you stopped in Malindi, you traded and picked up some wonderful goods including

silk, cotton, spices and many precious gems and metals. Unfortunately, Muslim merchants are not too pleased with your offerings. They think you are cheap and they

refuse to sign your treaty. Hopefully, your Arabic translators have survived the voyage so that you can sign the trading treaty. If not, you’ll have to return back to Lisbon. Better luck next time. You may not have signed the treaty, but at least you have some

goods and perhaps even a gift for you King. If the King is feeling gracious, he might even finance another voyage. (see Ms. Wall and make your plea)

12. For those of you that have made it to Kilwa, congratulations. Hopefully, your Bantu

interpreter can help you navigate the city and become profitable from trade, that is, if he

survived thus far. If he’s still on board, perhaps, he’ll share some information with you about what he knows regarding gold trade. If not, better luck next time! It’s time to erect

that Padro, if you still have them, and make your King proud!

Trade Routes and Navigation Map

Map of the World c. 1502

Each team has been provided with a blank map. These are uncharted waters, so unfortunately, you cannot rely on previous explorers and different routes that they have taken. Fortunately, you have an excellent, skillful group of men who have knowledge about how to chart these waters

and arrive at Kilwa, your final destination.

Step One: Plot out the locations of the following cities on your map. Refer to page 142 in A.C. and the references maps that are provided.

Lisbon, Portugal (see p. 522 in AC)

Madagascar Sofala

Kilwa Mogadishu Maldives

Merka Goa

Calicut Malindini Mombasa

Zanzibar Pemba

Hormuz Basra Bagdad

Step Two: Plot out your journey! Use a hash-marked (- - -) line to show your journey from Lisbon to Kilwa. You must chose 8

cities to stop at. Discuss as a group and decide as a team what those cities will be. Consider what cities have acquired the most wealth from trade across the Sahara, Asia and even the

Mediterranean. Determine what commodities are being traded from city to city.

Resource: Map of Western Africa c.

Map of Western Africa c. 1375