Christopher Columbus
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Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who sought to find a western sea route to Asia, with funding from the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. On August 3rd, 1492, Columbus departed from Spain with three ships and arrived in the Bahamas on October 12th, believing he had reached Asia. He encountered the indigenous Taíno people, explored several islands including Cuba and Hispaniola, and kidnapped some natives before returning to Spain. His voyage marked the beginning of widespread contact between Europeans and the peoples of the Americas.
Christopher Columbus
- 1. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: How did Europeans of late 15th century Europe view their world? Who was Christopher Columbus? How did Columbus finance his voyages? Why did Columbus choose to embark on his voyage? Where did Columbus land in the New World and who did he encounter? How would one describe Columbus’s encounter(s) with New World inhabitants? Christopher Columbus
- 2. The World Is Round? Columbus knew the world was round! A round world was believed to be true even by the Ancient Greeks Pythagoras (570 B.C.E.) Said Earth and planets were spheres Believed the most harmonious geometric form is the sphere Aristotle (384 B.C.E. – 322 B.C.E.) Was Plato’s prized student Said Earth had a curved surface Supported his theory by offering other arguments: The shadow of Earth on the Moon during a lunar eclipse is round
- 3. The World Is Round? Others offered evidence as well : A ship returning to port First the mast is seen, then sails, & then hull The Dark Ages (400 – 1200 C.E.) Greek knowledge was temporarily forgotten Maps were made based on religious beliefs and not science Rectangular maps showed the “Four corners of the Earth” Circular maps placed Jerusalem at the center of the world Renaissance was a re-birth of Greek ideas Christopher Columbus was born during this rebirth period in Europe
- 4. Who Was Columbus? Italian navigator, colonizer & explorer Born in 1451 in Genoa (today Italy) His father was a wool weaver He also had a cheese stand He probably received some education In May 1476, he took part in a convoy to northern Europe In 1476 he possibly docked in Iceland
- 5. Who Was Columbus? Wasn't the first to reach the Americas He was preceded some 500 years by Leif Ericson, and perhaps others But Columbus did initiate the widespread contact between Europeans and Native Americans His 1492 voyage came at a critical time for the states in Europe There was growing imperialism and economic competition between European nations They were seeking wealth from trade routes to help their empires grow
- 6. Navigation Plans: Why did he go? Constantinople was lost to the Turks (1453) Land route to Asia became more difficult Silk and spices became harder to trade Columbus developed a plan to travel to the Indies by sailing west across the Atlantic What he did do was incorrectly calculate the size of the earth No ship at the time could carry enough food and water for a journey of the actual distance Spain was desperate for an edge in trade Columbus’s calculations promised this advantage All Europeans believed the oceanic expanse was uninterrupted
- 7. Funding the Campaign In 1485, Columbus presented his plans to the King of Portugal, John II The King submitted the proposal to his experts…who rejected it It was their opinion that his proposed route of 2,400 miles was far too short They were right: it’s actually about 12,200 sm So…Columbus sought an audience from Ferdinand II and Isabella I of Spain Spain, like Portugal, judged Columbus’s distance to Asia much too short He continued to lobby the Spanish court for two years
- 8. Funding the Campaign In 1492 he succeeded! King Ferdinand granted Columbus permission About ½ of the financing came from private Italian investors The Contract: If he discovered any new land, he would receive many “high rewards” Appointed Governor of new lands Given the rank of Admiral of the Ocean Sea Would be entitled to 10 percent of all the revenues from the new lands The terms were generous, why? They didn't expect him to return
- 9. His Voyage On August 3, 1492, Columbus departed with three ships: Santa María, Pinta, and the… Santa Clara Nicknamed Niña On September 6, he started his 5-week voyage across the ocean September 9 he began keeping two logs Why? One had the true course and distance The other a smaller course and distance to make the crew happy
- 10. Land Discovered At 2am on October 12, 1492, a sailor aboard the Pinta sighted land Columbus called the island San Salvador Columbus searched for gold on San Salvador He spent 96 days exploring small islands in the Bahamas looking for gold He encountered the indigenous people, the Taíno, who were peaceful and friendly Columbus also explored Cuba and Hispaniola
- 11. The Returns Before returning to Spain: He left 39 men and founded La Navidad in what is now Haiti He kidnapped 10 to 25 natives and took them back with him He began his return voyage to Spain and reached Europe in 1493 New World Return September 1493 he made a return trip with: 17 ships Several hundred armed soldiers 5 priests More than 1,000 colonists Colonization had begun