The Voyage Of Christopher Columbus

American History I

Christopher Columbus' Voyage to North America

Spanish exploration first began with a series of revolutions. First, the Commercial Revolution generated economic stability. Second, the Intellectual Revolution generated interest in the Earth's composition and the pursuit of exploration. Europe then called for a political revolution to end the disorganized and disorderly rule of its government. This revolution returned order and stability to the government and renewed interest in exploration to search for national wealth. The last of these revolutions was the religious revolution (note Columbus' voyage occurred before this revolution). As more people broke away from the national religion they searched for a place where they could worship freely, thus generating interest in the exploration of new lands.

Other than merchants, Spain was the first of the European nations to explore for new lands to settle. While other nations were trying to reform their government, Spain had an advantage because its government was centralized and united. Spain's economy was also on its way to becoming stable because of its mercantilist thinking.

Christopher Columbus was one of the first of the major Spanish explorers. Although he made many discoveries for Spain, one should not be misguided, Columbus was of Italian decent. He was raised in the city-state of Genoa where his family ran a small weaving business which proved unsuccessful. Although Columbus' father experienced difficulty, "he was faithful in his religious duties, and helped his father in the "weaver's trade" (29) 1. Like many young men of the seaport of Genoa, Columbus dreamed of great deeds at sea.

He made his first sea trip in the year of 1472 on a Genoese sai...

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...ant discovery and upon his return voyage to Spain he was met with much honor and praise. "Physical courage, which the early historians took for granted, he will find in plenty; and untiring persistence and unbreakable will" (21) 3.

Biography

1. Faber, Harold. 1992. The Discoveries of America.

Macmillion Publishing Co. New York, NY.

2. Bandelier, Ad. F. Catholic Encyclopedia: Christopher Columbus, www.newadvent.org/cathen/04140a.htm

3. Bender, David l. and Bruno Leone. Christopher Columbus and His Legacy. Greenhaven Press, Inc. San Diego, California.

4. Fuson, Robert H. 1992. The Log of Christopher Columbus.

International Marine Publishing. Hingham, Massachusetts.

5. Christopher Columbus-A Culinary History. www.castellobanfi.com/features/story_3.html

6. Christopher Columbus: Explorer. www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/c/columbus.shtml