Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2026 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

Vasco de Gama was pivotal in establishing a sea route from Europe to India, which was significant for trade and exploration during the Age of Discovery. As the first European to successfully sail around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope, and into the Indian Ocean, he opened up a new maritime pathway, allowing for direct trade with Asia. This voyage, which took place from 1497 to 1499, marked a turning point in global trade networks and European imperial ambitions.

His successful navigation not only demonstrated the possibilities of oceanic exploration but also set the foundation for the Portuguese influence in Indian Ocean trade. By reaching India and engaging with local rulers, de Gama's voyages contributed to the spread of European presence in Asia, fundamentally altering global economic patterns and political dynamics.

The other options describe figures or situations that do not align with Vasco de Gama's identity or contributions. For instance, he was not British nor a pirate and did not circumnavigate the globe, which was a feat later accomplished by explorers like Ferdinand Magellan. Thus, the core significance of de Gama lies in his groundbreaking maritime achievements that linked Europe directly to the Indian subcontinent.