Christopher Columbus Example #2 Essay Example

honed his skills over time, Columbus emerged as an accomplished seafarer and was notably employed in the Portuguese merchant service by his early thirties.

Columbus had effectively become a master mariner in the Portuguese trade sector by his early thirties. (Christopher Columbus p2) Until 1453, the year Constantinople fell into the hands of the Turks, European merchants could easily and securely make land journeys to Asia. However, after this event, the land route to Asia was significantly riskier and challenging, with increased threats of theft and harm to the individuals transporting commodities. Given these circumstances, Columbus conceived a strategy around 1480 to reach Asia by journeying due west across the Atlantic Ocean, aiming for its eastern coastline.

In 1485, Columbus proposed his plan to Portugal's King John II. His proposal included a request for three robust vessels and a one-year time frame to traverse the west side of the Atlantic Ocean to discover a full waterway to Asia. In addition, Columbus desired the titles "Great Admiral of the Ocean" and Governor over any discovered territories. He also demanded a 10% share of any revenues generated from these newfound lands. The king considered the plan and sought expert advice, eventually deciding against it. The authorities felt that Columbus' suggested distance of 2,400 miles was significantly understated.

Columbus reappeared before the king and Portugal's court three years after his previous visit, this time with the same result as on his earlier attempt. His project was once again rejected, partly due to Bartholomeu Dias's triumphant return from successfully navigating around Africa's southern tip, opening a path to Asia. Despite his unsuccessful attempts with Venice and Genoa who showed no interest

towards Columbus's proposal, he also sought to engage England in his westward route discovery mission to Asia.

However, when England finally contemplated the idea, the invitation for discussion came too late for Columbus had already established a contract with Spain. The expert advisors of Spain's monarchy believed that Columbus had greatly underestimated the distance, mirroring Portugal’s advisors' argument which led Portugal to decline the expedition. To retain their options and to dissuade Columbus from seeking other sponsors, they granted him an annual stipend of 12,000 maravedis along with a formal letter of certification, indicating that all municipalities within their realm were to provide him with free accommodation and meals.

Following two years of financial assistance from Spain, Columbus at last made significant progress in his endeavors. Spain had recently triumphed over Granada, albeit at a great financial cost due to the campaign. To support Columbus' exploration, royal treasure was utilized. Italian investors, whom Columbus had been seeking assistance from, provided half of the necessary funding. A contract was drawn up between Columbus and Spain, promising him numerous rewards if he were to discover new territories. Among these rewards were prestigious titles such as "Admiral of the Ocean Sea" and governorship over any discovered land.

Columbus requested for a share of ten percent in all the profits generated in the area but his request was turned down. The authorities declared, "We decree that you, Christopher Columbus, upon the discovery and conquest of the said Continent and Islands in the aforementioned sea, or any part thereof, shall assume the role of our Admiral over the said Continent and Islands which you conquer and discover. And that you are to be

our Vice-Roy, and Governor over them. Furthermore, from now on, you may refer to yourself as D. Christopher Columbus." (Privileges and prerogatives granted to Columbus p 39) It is noteworthy that Columbus was not alone in his beliefs supporting a westward sail to reach new territories.

What distinguished him from others was his persistency and the resolve of his dreams to navigate westward. Columbus was unwavering in his quest for financial support for his journey but was repeatedly rejected. After eight years of pursuing his dream to sail westward, he finally received sponsorship from the Spanish who decided to risk it. His assertion that Asia could be accessed by navigating west -- and potentially discovering a New World -- was mostly ignored. He spent seven years working to gain approval for his expedition and the monetary support of a global force.

Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage on August 3rd, 1492, under the Spanish patronage. He had three ships in his fleet; Santa Maria under Columbus's direct command and two smaller ones, Pinta and Nina. His journey started from Palos, Spain and led them to Canary Islands initially for supply restocking and necessary repairs. On leaving the Canary Islands, their journey proceeded westward from September 6th until October 7th, only to be diverted southwest. A crew member named Rodrigo de Triana eventually spotted landfall on October 12th at 2 a.m., 1492. The land they found was named San Salvador by Columbus, now recognized as the Bahamas.

Rodrigo de Triana, a sailor, was the first to lay eyes on the land. That very same evening, the Admiral who was on the quarter-deck at ten, spotted a light that

was faint and small, so he wasn't sure if it was a sign of land. At two in the morning, they finally discovered the land. They hoisted in their sails and stayed until daylight on Friday. By then, they were near a tiny island (according to page 68 from Christopher Columbus' 1492 Journal). This island was claimed for Spain and they ventured out to explore other surrounding islands near San Salvador.

They reached Cuba on October 27th and later in December, they touched down at Hispaniola. The Santa Maria met disaster on Hispaniola's north coast on the eve of Christmas. Columbus established a colony there by leaving some men behind before he set off for Spain to give an account of their discoveries. He was greeted warmly upon his return and, as per his agreement with Spain, he was appointed "Admiral of the Ocean Sea", and entrusted as the governor of all the territories he had found and would find in the future.

During his second voyage, he was entrusted with 17 ships carrying 1,500 colonists and they set sail in October 1493. Upon reaching Hispaniola, they found the settlers and settlement he had left behind annihilated by the Native Americans. They established a new settlement in close proximity and embarked on a journey to discover the coastline of Cuba in the summer of 1494. On their exploration of Cuba, they chanced upon Jamaica and made their way back to the colony. Upon arrival, he found out that the inhabitants were solely focused on gathering gold.

The attempt by Columbus to instill discipline upset some individuals, who took ships to return to Spain and voice their grievances about

his methods. Columbus soon followed in 1496 on his return to Spain. Two years later, in 1498, Columbus embarked on his third voyage, where, due to negative reports about the conditions in Hispaniola and waning excitement about the New World, he was compelled to take convicts as colonists. On this voyage, he sailed more southwards, reaching Trinidad. He also navigated the mouth of the Orinoco River, located in present-day Venezuela.

Upon recognizing another continent, he hastily retreated to revisit the colony in Hispaniola. In 1500, due to reports of dire conditions, Spain dispatched an autonomous governor to manage affairs and ordered Christopher Columbus to return with him in chains. As soon as Columbus reached Spain, he was set free. After two years, and after successfully collecting four ships, he embarked on his fourth voyage. He hoped that by venturing far enough west on this expedition, he could restore his reputation by discovering lands that could be identified as Asia or Japan.

He encountered the coastline of Honduras in Central America and continued south along its edge, enduring difficulties throughout the journey. When attempting to take shelter in Hispaniola, they were trapped in a storm near Cuba's coast, and their ships were severely damaged, rendering further travel impossible. Consequently, they were stranded in Jamaica for a year. Following his rescue, he was compelled to go back to Spain and relinquish thoughts of future journeys. Even though Christopher Columbus wasn't the first European explorer to venture westward in quest of the New World, his voyages played a significant role in Europe's westward expansion and colonization in the Americas.

Despite Spain's refusal to fulfill its financial and noble obligations to

Columbus after his removal from the governorship, suggesting that they believed they were no longer bound by the terms of the original agreement, Columbus was seen as reasonably affluent at the time of his death. The American Journey (p18) notes that "Our nation's capital district is named in recognition of his influence in ushering in an epoch of liberty synonymous with America." Columbus remains a significant figure in history, continually credited as the explorer who discovered America.