Before 1492, Europeans had mapped out the world as they knew it and used that knowledge to dominate trade and wealth. There was a never-ending struggle for power among much of Europe. Asia and the Middle East were contenders as well. Spain, France, and England were the boldest and had the most resources at the time. To gain the upper hand, Spain financed many voyages to find shorter trade routes to the West indies and Asia. The monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabel I of Castile, felt they could dominate trade, increase wealth, and bring unity to Spain through these trade routes. (Henretta, Edwards, & Self, 2012) Other nations followed suit but the results yielded poor profit. Many willing traders and sailors tried to seek out
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Born in Genoa, Italy his birth name was Cristoforo Colombo. He was the oldest of five children. As a young man Columbus worked at a Portuguese merchant marine where he began his first step to becoming a sailor. Later in 1476, he and his brother Bartholomew worked as chart makers. These previous employments lead to Christopher 's interest in travel. In 1477 he traveled to Iceland and Ireland. Columbus made many voyages as a merchant till 1485 where he traveled from Portugal to West Africa where his sailing experience, navigation, and understanding of trade advanced ("Christopher Columbus," 2014). Christopher decided to seek support for the ultimate goal in trade at the time, a trade route to Asia across the …show more content…
The ship ran aground and Christopher Columbus decided to return to Spain. Leaving 40 men behind, he set sail with no gold. (Henretta et al., 2012) He did have the knowledge of this "new trade" route and the possibility a new world of wealth. He left on January 1493 and arrived to Spain in March of the same year. Columbus was praised for his new discovery and the Spanish monarchs financed another voyage. So, Columbus again set out for the Americas. He left in September 1493 with 2 large ships and 15 small ships. His travels led to the further exploration of the Caribbean and the islands
Born in Genoa, Italy his birth name was Cristoforo Colombo. He was the oldest of five children. As a young man Columbus worked at a Portuguese merchant marine where he began his first step to becoming a sailor. Later in 1476, he and his brother Bartholomew worked as chart makers. These previous employments lead to Christopher 's interest in travel. In 1477 he traveled to Iceland and Ireland. Columbus made many voyages as a merchant till 1485 where he traveled from Portugal to West Africa where his sailing experience, navigation, and understanding of trade advanced ("Christopher Columbus," 2014). Christopher decided to seek support for the ultimate goal in trade at the time, a trade route to Asia across the …show more content…
The ship ran aground and Christopher Columbus decided to return to Spain. Leaving 40 men behind, he set sail with no gold. (Henretta et al., 2012) He did have the knowledge of this "new trade" route and the possibility a new world of wealth. He left on January 1493 and arrived to Spain in March of the same year. Columbus was praised for his new discovery and the Spanish monarchs financed another voyage. So, Columbus again set out for the Americas. He left in September 1493 with 2 large ships and 15 small ships. His travels led to the further exploration of the Caribbean and the islands