Christopher Columbus Letter

This document is a letter written by Christopher Columbus, who was an Italian sailor and map maker. Columbus believed strongly in his belief that it would be easier to sail westward to Asia instead of going around the southern tip of Africa, with this came his plan to sail to the East Indies. Many experts knew that his calculations were off, making his plan referred to as a “crazy scheme.” First being rejected by the Portuguese who had already gained access to African goods, Columbus took his plan to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain who were jealous of Portugal’s recent success in Africa. Much like many countries during this time the Spanish shared the same motives of exploration wanting to gain access to African and Asian goods, …show more content…
Written to Luis de Sant’, detailing his very first encounters with the native people of the Bahamas the “Tainos” who he refers to as “Indians” due to his false belief he was in Asia. It also includes conclusions he had reached after interaction with the native people. This document was intended to let the king and queen know that his voyage was a success. The King and Queen of Spain as well as the Spanish were his audience being that the king and queen financed Columbus’s voyage. With them as the audience Columbus explicitly states his claims leaving no room for confusion or doubts in the success of his voyage. Columbus in persuading the Spanish first discusses how the people are inclined to praise inferring it will be easy for them to be converted to the Christian faith. Also, he mentions how the claim of this land shall be successful due to the extreme kindness of the native people describing them as the “most timorous creatures,” and their lack of weapons making them unable to induce war. He then states that his discovery will bring great profit and pride to Spain as well as all