The pioneering exploration of the Caribbean Islands, by Christopher Columbus led to the first European contact of the Taino Indians in that region. This encounter resulted in the Taino Indians being traded, yet opened the South Atlantic and Caribbean for future exploration and eventual colonization. The first voyage of Christopher Columbus’ kicked off his legacy of being an explorer. The hardest part of starting Columbus’ voyage trying to find funds. “Columbus had a different idea: Why not sail west across the Atlantic instead of around the massive African continent? The young navigator’s logic was sound, but his math was faulty. He argued (incorrectly) that the circumference of the Earth was much smaller than his contemporaries believed …show more content…
He presented his plan to officials in Portugal and England, but it was not until 1491 that he found a sympathetic audience: the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile” (History). “Columbus wanted fame and fortune. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted the same, along with the opportunity to export Catholicism to lands across the globe. (Columbus, a devout Catholic, was equally enthusiastic about this possibility.) Columbus’ contract with the Spanish rulers promised that he could keep 10 percent of whatever riches he found, along with a noble title and the governorship of any lands he should encounter” (History). When Christopher Columbus found all the funds for the voyage they were ready to set sail on the Atlantic. “Columbus sailed for King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain. On his first trip, Columbus led an expedition with three ships, the Niña (captained by Vicente Yáñez Pinzón), the Pinta (owned and captained by Martin Alonzo Pinzon), and the Santa Maria (captained by Columbus), and about 90 crew members. They set sail on Aug. 3, 1492 from Palos, Spain” (EnchantedLearning). “Once underway, Columbus benefited from …show more content…
“Christopher Columbus did not “discover” the Americas, nor was he even the first European to visit the “New World.”. However, his journey kicked off centuries of exploration and exploitation on the American continents. The consequences of his explorations were severe for the native populations of the areas he and the conquistadores conquered” (History). “Disease and environmental changes resulted in the destruction of the majority of the native population over time, while Europeans continued to extract natural resources from these territories. Today, Columbus has a mixed legacy—he is remembered as a daring and path-breaking explorer who transformed the New World, yet his actions also unleashed changes that would eventually devastate the native populations he and his fellow explorers encountered” (History). “The second Monday of October is Columbus Day, celebrated as a federal holiday in the U.S. since 1971. This day marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus 's 1492 landing in the Americas, his "discovery of the New World" for the benefit of the Spanish monarchy”
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Show MoreToward the end of pre-colonial times in Europe, due to the fall of Constantinople, many European nations felt the need to find an alternate route to the East Indies. The trade of rare goods such as spices, rice, exotic fruits and silk fabrics were much in demand, but came at extreme prices. In the beginning of the ‘Age of Exploration’, Portugal was in the forefront with the early explorers Henry the Navigator, Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira, and Diogo Silves discovering the Madeira Islands, the Azores, and the exploration of Africa respectively, but King John the II of Portugal was unconvinced by Christopher Columbus’s pleas to fund his plan to sail West to the East Indies. Columbus made many demands for self-profit, including ten percent of any riches with which he returned, and even an ‘Admiralty’. Subsequently, Columbus took his plans to Queen Isabella of Spain. Spain acquiesced, and Columbus set off on his fateful journey. The Roman Catholic Church was very interested in expanding the Christian faith during this time and applied its influence on the monarchy. Religion also played a large personal role as Columbus truly believed that God spoke to him, and guided his hand. Additionally, at this time in Europe, land and food were at a premium. The monarchs of the era were fully aware that the acquisition of more land, slave labor and possible natural resources would greatly increase their power, prestige and subsequent wealth. After learning of Columbus’ successful return and the Treaty of Tordesillas (which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal), King Henry VII of England threw his hat into the ring and sent John Cabot sailing from Bristol on an attempt to find a shorter route to the ‘Indies’. Not to be left out in ...
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. However, even after centuries later, little is truly known of the mysterious voyage and findings of the new world.1 By examining “Letter from Columbus to Luis Santangel”, one can further contextualize the events of Columbus' exploration of the New World. The letter uncovers Columbus' subtle hints of his true intentions and exposes his exaggerated tone that catered to his lavish demands with Spain. Likewise, The Columbian Voyage Map read in accordance with the letter helps the reader track Columbus' first, second, third, and fourth voyage to the New World carefully and conveniently. Thus, the letter and map's rarity and description render invaluable insight into Columbus' intentionality of the New World and its indigenous inhabitants.
Christopher Columbus was an explorer and navigator from Spain. Columbus made a deal with the King and Queen of Spain which basically stated that if he found new land for them to colonize then he would receive a ton load of money and would be given the title of “Admiral of the Ocean Sea.” He would also become
Exploration involves a journey fueled by the quest for knowledge and understanding. Explorers helped define the world and allowed humanity access to knowledge and information. Christopher Columbus can be considered an important explorer in the American history. His engagement in exploration left a thick mark in the world that cannot be undone. He is well known for his discovery of what was considered a new world, America. Christopher managed to achieve this through constant traveling that had him land on a new word that the European had no knowledge of. His voyages marked an imperative step in the American history. It opened up the European kingdoms and initiated the growth of trade routes and colonies. It developed a link between the continents
Christopher Columbus, born in Genoa, Italy some time between the 26th of August and 31st of October in 1451 (Flint, Valerie I.J. "Christopher Columbus: Italian Explorer."), discovered the rich environment of a country we now know as the United States of America. When Columbus set out of Spain on August 13 in 1942 he was looking for a trade route between India and Asia, but what he found was a new land. Although the land he found was already inhabited, his discovery “marked the beginning of centuries of trans-Atlantic conquest and colonization”. Near the end of the 15th century, it was extremely difficult to move across Europe and Asia without encountering armies from various nations on land. The brave yet somewhat uncoordinated Columbus had a different idea, to acquire fame and wealth, and to sail west across the
(Debate.org). Columbus was not the very first person to find the New World, but he is the first person to explore it and tell other people about it. He opened another whole part of the world to not only his people but the people living in other places on the world, and at the time, it was a big deal and it still is. Without Columbus the American history would not have been possible without him. (Debate.org). This is why we have Columbus day, is to reward him for what he found and how he created our history, and possibly without him, nothing would be the same. Some people say it would be a few centuries before America would be found, or it wouldn't have been found at all. He reunited the human history (Debate.org). Debate.org said "He did something that everyone thought that was impossible - to cross the Atlantic". Before this was found, the Europeans believed there were only three continents and one ocean: Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean. With his explorations, he proved them wrong and showed that there was much more land than they
Christopher Columbus was simply a skilled sailor and navigator, who was also an opportunist. He was born in 1451, in the Republic of Genoa, Italy. After being rejected by the Portuguese king, he took his plan to Genoa first, and then Venice but they rejected the plan also. His last option was to go with the Spanish monarchy of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille, they agreed to finance the expedition. So in August of 1492, Columbus left Spain with three ships: the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. He discover America on October 12, 1942. (“Christopher Columbus”).
The image we are given of Columbus is an image of bravery and leadership. He became well-known and had a noble title, but eventually lost his glory and was arrested because he was a bad leader in the Hispaniola settlement. Maybe he was brave. But he was a neglectful leader and immoral, twisted man. Columbus ruined the lives of the Natives. He invaded their territory and dehumanized them. However, his conquest gave rise to years of exploration and exploitation in the Americas. Regardless of how one feels about Columbus - hero or villain - his voyages cannot be dismissed as unimportant. Unlike all who came before him, Columbus opened a floodgate of follow-on explorers, armed forces and, eventually, permanent immigrants. They all helped create the United States. National origins stories are funny things. They are designed to make us feel good about ourselves, to make us feel special and to give us a shared unity and identity - but they rarely bear much resemblance to historical reality. No one person "discovered"
When Columbus landed in the “New World”, or the America’s, this marked the beginning of World growth and prosperity; at least for the most of Europe. However, for the America’s, it was the beginning of disaster for the country. By discovering the America’s, Columbus ruined not on the lives of many indigenous people, but also the land which they lived.
In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the Atlantic Ocean, as far as the Iceland and West Africa, his adventures convinced him that the world was round. Thus, the fabled riches of the East spices, silk and gold could be had by sailing in West “, (Leowen, 1995, p.29). As a voyager his journey was motivated by discovering new land but his objectives was to find a Western route to the Indies. This essay will look at the traditional myths about Christopher and his discovery of America (new land). Than discuss how revisionist historians and American Indians activist maintained to object the traditional myths and the discovering of America.
Before the most famous historic voyage to the Americas Christopher Columbus had no support to go on his expedition. Christopher Columbus tried to get support from the King of Portugal John II, but he was turned down. Spain finally agreed to sponsor his voyage in 1492 across the Atlantic Ocean. By agreeing to sponsor Christopher Columbus voyage they believed they would have gained leverage in what they were trying to do in Spain. The Reconquista made the Spaniards very powerful. By Christopher Columbus finding new land with people and gold it convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to continue to support his voyages. Even though the king and queen believed that allowing him to go on the voyages benefited them it actually allowed Christopher
The conditions were so bad around this time due to a decline in the people’s health, Columbus was arrested and sent back to Spain. “In 1502, cleared of the most serious charges but stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus persuaded the Spanish king to pay for one last trip across the Atlantic,” (History.com, 2009). His last voyage was in 1502 where he set out to discover islands off the coast of Honduras and later, went on to Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and
Christopher Columbus Day is a holiday celebrated yearly, every October, around the nation. This day celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America. It also remembers the discovery of America, which happened on October 12,1492. Numerous people believe the day should be celebrated, because it was the beginning of the America and it’s history. Others believe that even though Columbus’ arrival was the beginning, the day shouldn’t be celebrated because of his horrible actions. As more information about Columbus was revealed over the years differences about him truly being a hero had arisen. It has been debated among many, whether this should be a holiday that is celebrated, or not. Although there is multiple of controversy,
In 1492 Christopher Columbus started on his voyage to find what he thought would be a faster route to the West Indies, but in actuality stumbled upon small islands that we now call the Bahamas. When he left on his voyage, his intent was to find and take the riches that the West Indies had to offer but to his disappointment these things that were intended to pay for his voyage did not exist.
In the year of 1492, the Queen and King of Spain developed thoughts of strengthening their power and seeking new sources of wealth. This being stated the Queen and King had agreed on financing Christopher Columbus’s expedition, hoping it would bring the kingdom wealth (Ellis 2004). On October 12 Columbus had discovered a new location, due to this discovery; Latin America had been colonized by the Spanish conquistadors sent by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Overall, Latin America had been colonized for the sake of seeking wealth (Ellis 2004). Obtaining gold was the simple way of gaining wealth. Gold was the resource that attracted Spaniards to the Island of Hispaniola, because it was also King Ferdinand's interest (De la Riva 2003 ). Thus it ended up becoming the ultimate goal of the Christian Spaniards sent to Hispaniola to acquire gold and swell themselves in riches. (Las Casas 1552).Trading was also the key to getting wealthy; the more resources available for trade the more wealth will be gained. Resources in the New World attracted the Spanish conquistadors to Latin America; it was also what he...