Final answer:
Columbus did not achieve his goal of finding a new route to Asia but inadvertently discovered the Americas. Da Gama successfully opened a sea route to India and significantly impacted the spice trade. Zheng He's expeditions displayed China's power but did not cause lasting expansion of Chinese trade and exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing the Successes of Columbus, Da Gama, and Zheng He:
In comparing the effectiveness of explorers Columbus, Da Gama, and Zheng He in achieving their goals, we find notable differences in their accomplishments and the impacts of their voyages. Columbus embarked on his voyage under the patronage of the Spanish Crown with a serious misjudgment of the Earth's size, aiming to find a direct sea route to Asia. Despite failing to reach Asia, Columbus is credited with the discovery of the Americas—a so-called "New World." In contrast, Vasco da Gama successfully reached India, establishing a sea route that bypassed the costly and dangerous land routes dominated by Ottoman Empire and significantly impacting the spice trade. Zheng He's expeditions, which predated Columbus and Da Gama, were impressive in scale and scope, with massive treasure ships demonstrating China's power and facilitating tributary trade within Asia and parts of Africa. However, his efforts did not result in long-lasting maritime exploration or trade expansion for China, as the initiative was halted and naval records destroyed after his death.
Ultimately, while Columbus did not fulfill his initial goal of finding a new trade route to Asia, his voyages undeniably opened up the Americas for European colonization. Vasco da Gama's direct sea route to India arguably brought more immediate commercial success and was a major milestone in establishing European power in the Indian Ocean. Zheng He's expeditions failed to establish lasting Chinese maritime dominance or a global trade presence, although they showcased China's technological and naval capabilities of the time.