The Influence Of Christopher Columbus

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To understand the prompt first you have to understand Cristoforo Colombo, known today as Christopher Columbus. You have to to understand the decisions and steps he took also why Spain chose him to represent them and the voyages he led. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451, who was the son of a wool merchant. As a teenager, Columbus first went out to sea participating in several trading expeditions around the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. For example, one specific expedition was to the “island of Khios, now known as modern day Greece, this expedition brought him the closest he would come to Asia or so they say. His first expedition into the Atlantic Ocean in 1476 was one that Columbus wouldn't forget, he was sailing with a commercial …show more content…

The marriage initiated a dark and troubled life in which, Ferdinand fought on the Castilian and Aragonese fronts in order to impose his authority over the noble oligarchies. He also placed his basis of support from one kingdom to the other according to the intensity of danger. After stating some of King Ferdinand’s background, the question is still at hand. Why Columbus was chosen to represent Spain in the expeditions, while King Ferdinand supported or funded it. The response for this question is complicated but simple in some ways. One reason that King Ferdinand chose Columbus is because “the Spanish monarchs had just retaken Spain from the Muslims, and refused to trade with them. Ever since Constantinople fell in 1453, trade with the Indies was controlled by the Muslims, and they tacked on their percentage whenever a trade took place.” The Spanish royal couple realized that if Columbus was correct, they would have access to a new trade route that was shorter and safer than any other trade route to the indies. They would more or less replace the Muslims as the new mediator as far as trade with the Indies was concerned, and the future riches that would result were colossal. Despite concerns from their own advisors, “they decided to outfit Columbus with three ships and enough money …show more content…

Columbus happened to be in Spain at the siege of Granada and was called upon the Spanish court, thus giving his chance to request funding for his voyages to Asia. While Columbus was in front of the Spanish court, he proposed to them an agreement of finding gold and riches in Asia to put them ahead of their rival, Portugal. Despite the great amount of Spanish explorers who wanted to embark on the voyage to riches in Asia, the Catholic monarchs and the Spanish court then came to a consensus that having Columbus sail the voyage would benefit them greatly. Therefore, if Columbus brought back gold and spices as he promised to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, then he would receive 10 percent of the profit and govern the new lands that he discovers. Shortly after Columbus was funded for the voyage towards Asia, Columbus set out onto the sea with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Approximately, 86-89 men accompanied Columbus on the three ships. Little did Columbus know, he mistakenly miscalculated the size of the Earth and sea, thus never reaching Asia, but the

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