Before the sixteenth century the Crusades had presented European people to the goods of the East. Goods, such as spices, became necessities, but they were increasingly costly. These goods had to be transported over long overland routes. Many times middlemen would take profits from these goods before they even reached European merchants. Europeans knew they needed a new, cheaper route to Asia. Because of the need of these costly goods, economic and political rivalry began amongst European powers. They needed to see who could first secure a new route and its benefits before the others. People went to the “New World” for many reasons, but most commonly to pursue wealth. Many men sought religious freedom as well as learning new plants. Technological
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He believed the shortest route was across the Atlantic. Columbus believed the issue was not the shape of the earth, but its size. He thought it to be only about 3,000 miles. The Portuguese, however, were convinced that the world was much larger, and that the African route was still the shortest route causing them to reject Columbus’ request. Two years later while he was in Spain, he won the support of Queen Isabella. With the increased political and financial strength of the monarchy, Spain could bear the costs of supporting exploration. Norse explorations and conquests in the North Atlantic eventually took Leif Ericsson to Newfoundland. Over the next few years the Norsemen made at least three different attempts at colonization. The significance of Columbus’ voyage is that it resulted in the first contact with America to have meaningful worldwide values. Columbus set sail for Asia with only three small ships. Columbus envisioned personal wealth to come from his voyages but also dreamed of opening up chances to take the Christian gospel to the heathen. Columbus ended up landing at the island of San Salvador in mid-October, in what is now the American West Indies. He thought he had discovered the islands west of India, and that on another voyage he would find China or Japan. With the continuing support of
He believed the shortest route was across the Atlantic. Columbus believed the issue was not the shape of the earth, but its size. He thought it to be only about 3,000 miles. The Portuguese, however, were convinced that the world was much larger, and that the African route was still the shortest route causing them to reject Columbus’ request. Two years later while he was in Spain, he won the support of Queen Isabella. With the increased political and financial strength of the monarchy, Spain could bear the costs of supporting exploration. Norse explorations and conquests in the North Atlantic eventually took Leif Ericsson to Newfoundland. Over the next few years the Norsemen made at least three different attempts at colonization. The significance of Columbus’ voyage is that it resulted in the first contact with America to have meaningful worldwide values. Columbus set sail for Asia with only three small ships. Columbus envisioned personal wealth to come from his voyages but also dreamed of opening up chances to take the Christian gospel to the heathen. Columbus ended up landing at the island of San Salvador in mid-October, in what is now the American West Indies. He thought he had discovered the islands west of India, and that on another voyage he would find China or Japan. With the continuing support of