From the Spanish port of Palos, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sets sail in command of three ships—the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina—on a journey to find a western sea route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia.
On October 12, the expedition sighted land, probably Watling Island in the Bahamas, and went ashore the same day, claiming it for Spain. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. He established a small colony there with 39 of his men. The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and “Indian” captives in March 1493 and was received with the highest honors by the Spanish court. He was the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland in the 10th century.
During his lifetime, Columbus led a total of four expeditions to the New World, discovering various Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South and Central American mainland, but never accomplished his original goal—a western ocean route to the great cities of Asia. Columbus had discovered for Europe the New World, whose riches over the next century would help make Spain the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth.
Columbus had tried to persuade the monarchs of Europe to back his plan but no-one was interested. He had left his native Genoa many years previously in order to fulfill his dreams of exploration and discovery. Only the Spanish showed any interest and Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, co-rulers of Spain only gave Columbus limited support.
After some months at sea, the expedition sighted land, an island in the Bahamas. They went ashore with a cross and claimed the island for Spain. Columbus later sighted Cuba. He had discovered a new continent but he believed that he was in Asia. For example, he mistook Cuba for one of the Japanese islands.
The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and natives in 1493 and was received with by the King and Queen, who gave him great honors and ennobled him. Columbus was the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings visited modern day Canada in the 10th century.
Columbus led a total of four expeditions to the New World, discovering various territories and islands. He was the first to discover the South American mainland. However, he did not believe that he had discovered a new continent and believed that he was in Asia. Columbus was a controversial character and at one time he was even sent back to Spain in chains. Columbus died in Spain in 1506, in poverty and ignored by the Spanish king.
He did not realize the extent of his discoveries. He had discovered a New World and he had changed human history. Columbus expeditions and discoveries allowed Spain to become a great power in the following centuries as they established an empire in the lands and islands that he discovered.
History
