The United States has an incredibly vast and rich history, however, many of its citizens only remember one date, 1492. In the eyes of many, Christopher Columbus 's contact with the Americas marks a beginning which is comparable it to the birth of Christ. Although the date 1492 is well remembered because of its relation to the start of a new world and the mixing of cultures, its impact becomes less profound when one looks at the era as a whole. The pre-colombian technological advances and voyages of the Chinese, Portuguese and Vikings were equally important turning points, as they set the stage for a Western voyages. In addition, the years of colonization following 1492, which were sparked by Nicolás de Ovando, create a significant time period in which the sole event of Columbus 's contact played a small role.
Advances and voyages before Columbus paved the way for the seemingly momentous journey of 1492. It is often forgotten that Columbus was not the first to travel across the Atlantic Ocean. In the year 1000 the Vikings made the trip from Greenland to Newfoundland, across the Northern Atlantic Ocean, settling in Vinland. Although little is known about their trip, it is interesting to note that a voyage very similar to Columbus’s had already been …show more content…
Explorer Bartolomeu Dias ventured to Cape of Good Hope and back to Portugal. Later, Vasco De Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and over to India, building off of Dias’s findings. The Portuguese idea of making a profit off of ocean-based trade networks, as well as the advancements which helped them along the way, sparked a significant chain reaction. Although Columbus’s contact was significant, the ability and desire to trade across oceans was established before his voyages. Advancements and discoveries after Columbus also had impacts equal to the physical contact of
Advances and voyages before Columbus paved the way for the seemingly momentous journey of 1492. It is often forgotten that Columbus was not the first to travel across the Atlantic Ocean. In the year 1000 the Vikings made the trip from Greenland to Newfoundland, across the Northern Atlantic Ocean, settling in Vinland. Although little is known about their trip, it is interesting to note that a voyage very similar to Columbus’s had already been …show more content…
Explorer Bartolomeu Dias ventured to Cape of Good Hope and back to Portugal. Later, Vasco De Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and over to India, building off of Dias’s findings. The Portuguese idea of making a profit off of ocean-based trade networks, as well as the advancements which helped them along the way, sparked a significant chain reaction. Although Columbus’s contact was significant, the ability and desire to trade across oceans was established before his voyages. Advancements and discoveries after Columbus also had impacts equal to the physical contact of