How did Columbus discover America nearly 600 years ago?
Columbus Day sparked widespread controversy, and the celebration of Columbus’s assassination was eventually replaced by Indigenous Peoples Day, which is observed by cities and states in the United States on the second Monday of October each year.
On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set out from Palos, Spain, on a historic voyage that marked the beginning of a new era in exploration.
Leading three small ships and a crew of 90, Columbus bravely explored new routes to Asia. Little did he know at the time that his voyage would eventually lead to the discovery of America and completely change the world.
Searching for Sea Routes
The search for new routes arose from fierce competition, especially between Portugal and Spain, for maritime supremacy. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 had a profound impact on the traditional trading system.
Italian explorer Christopher Columbus had long been eager to convince European rulers to fund his voyage across the western Atlantic to Asia. Eventually, he convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. They agreed to the “Santa Fe Privilege,” an agreement that granted Columbus numerous titles and privileges, as well as a percentage of the profits as compensation for his services.
Columbus based his strategy on the writings of the ancient Greek geographers Ptolemy and Strabo, as well as the famous traveler Marco Polo, who visited Asia via the Silk Road. Columbus also drew on his experience trading and exploring in the Mediterranean. Columbus acquired three small ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina, and a crew of approximately 90 people.
A Dangerous Journey
The journey across the Atlantic was fraught with hardships and uncertainties that shook the resolve of Columbus and his crew. They faced mutinies, storms, and navigational failures. On October 12, 1492, the crew sighted land that Columbus believed was part of the East Indies. However, they ultimately reached only Guanahani Island in the Bahamas, which Columbus renamed San Salvador Island.
This historic event was significant. Columbus encountered the Lucayans, a native tribe of the Bahamas. Over the next few months, Columbus sailed through the Caribbean, visiting the islands and interacting with the locals. He gained a wealth of knowledge about the beautiful plants, exotic animals, and new opportunities for wealth in the New World. His relationship with the locals was highly ambivalent, often violent, and led to centuries of hostility and oppression.
In 1493, Columbus returned to Spain, bringing back some of the locals and the wealth he had collected in the New World. On the return voyage, the Santa Maria sank off the coast of Haiti on December 25, 1492. He was hailed as a hero and visionary. The success of his voyage was attributed to the expertise and tireless efforts of the Europeans.
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Christopher Columbus’s subsequent voyages (1493-1494, 1498-1500, and 1502-1504) expanded European influence in the Americas. The second voyage established the first Spanish colony, Isabela, on Hispaniola. The third voyage explored the coast of South America, while the fourth voyage sought a trans-Pacific passage in Central America.
However, Columbus encountered opposition from Spanish colonists and indigenous peoples and was eventually captured and returned to Spain. These voyages had devastating consequences, including the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples and the establishment of European colonies. Columbus’ expeditions paved the way for widespread colonization and reshaped the cultural and geographical landscape of the Americas.
The other side
The discovery of the New World and the sea routes brought about numerous complex effects and consequences. On the one hand, the discovery of the Americas opened up new trade routes. It facilitated the exchange of people, goods, and ideas across the Atlantic, having a profound impact on modern world civilization. In what is known as the Columbian Exchange, European crops, livestock, gold, and technology were brought to the Americas. In contrast, New World crops, including corn, tobacco, and potatoes, were brought to Europe.
But there are two sides to the story. Although Columbus was a hero who pioneered a new era, he was also plagued by controversy and tragedy. Columbus himself enslaved Native Americans. This discovery led to the spread of deadly diseases such as smallpox and influenza, which destroyed the Native American way of life. Researchers estimate that by the end of the 19th century, Native Americans had lost 90% of their population, mainly due to disease, war, and slavery.
In recent years, the image of Columbus and the tragedy he brought to Native Americans has been increasingly criticized by leaders from all walks of life who have tried to re-examine his heroic status. Columbus Day has sparked considerable controversy, and its celebration has been replaced in many cities and states in the United States by Indigenous Peoples Day, which is observed on the second Monday of October. The movement attempts to confront and re-evaluate the complex and controversial history of colonization and exploration.
It also recognizes the importance of preserving and developing Native American languages while eliminating colonial and racist prejudices. This includes supporting movements to revitalize their languages, promote their cultural heritage, and enhance their inclusion and equality in educational institutions and the media sector. This case demonstrates that exploring the complex and much-maligned history of Columbus’s voyages is intended to engage future scholars in building a more just and free future.
