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Christopher Columbus. One of the more controversial figures in the Age of Discovery. He is hated by many today for the treatment of the native people he met. Others credit his courageous voyage and acknowledge his role in changing the world.
Columbus believed that it was possible to reach Asia by sailing west across the vast Atlantic Ocean. He was actually correct. You can reach Asia by sailing west. It's just that two other continents and an even larger Pacific Ocean was in between.
We know today that the Vikings, led by Leif Eriksson, were actually the first Europeans to reach North America around the year 1000. (More on the Vikings here). However, their settlements didn't last. It was the voyage of Columbus in 1492 that inspired other European empires to explore the New World.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: the first European to discover the "New World" when he sailed west from Europe and landed on islands in the Caribbean Sea. This launched an era of European exploration and colonization to the Western Hemisphere.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: the first European to discover the "New World" when he sailed west from Europe and landed on islands in the Caribbean Sea. This launched an era of European exploration and colonization to the Western Hemisphere.
MYTH #1: Columbus landed on the coast of modern day United States of America.
While Columbus got very close to Florida, he never actually landed on ANY part of what is our nation today. (See maps below).
Instead, he discovered the islands of modern day Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, also landed on the eastern coast of Mexico.
MYTH #2: Columbus was from Spain.
He was actually from Genoa, Italy, but couldn't get any support for an expedition from the leaders of Italy.
He also tried to get Portugal to sponsor him, but was rejected there also.
Finally, he convinced the King and Queen of Spain to pay for his expedition across the Atlantic. He promised them great riches, new territory, and new converts to the Catholic Church. He also asked for a portion of whatever riches were found.
Columbus led four voyages, each one discovering different land.
First Voyage - 1492-1493
First Voyage - 1492-1493
Second Voyage 1493-1496
Second Voyage 1493-1496
Third Voyage 1498-1500
Third Voyage 1498-1500
Fourth Voyage 1502-1504
Fourth Voyage 1502-1504
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