Christopher Colombus is the famous figure in the history of human kind. He is famous for its exploration and voyages to open the map of the world. Even, he is considered as the pioneer in the age of discovery.
He explored the sea bringing a mission to find wealth and gold. Of course, these journeys can be interesting information to know. Moreover, it is also part of the important history.
Colombus’ Early Life
Image Source: biography.com
Colombus was born in Genoa, Italy. The precise date of his birth is unknown, however it is predicted that he was born in 1451. His father was a wool merchant and it made him familiar with ships.
When he was teenager, he worked in merchant ship. He sailed as in the ship until 1470. In this year, his ship was attacked by French privateers since the ship sailed outside the border.
Because of the attack, the boat collapsed. Luckily, he could float and he reached Lisbon. It is the place where he learned knowledge needed for his voyage. He learned navigation, astronomy, cartography, and also mathematics.
Colombus’ First Voyage
At that time, nations wanted to explore the lands. Sailing was the best way to use at that time. In this case, Colombus had his own arguments about the route to reach Asia. However, these ideas got no responses and he got no sponsors.
In 1491, he got the chance to start his voyage. Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile agreed to support his voyage. Colombus did the voyage to gain fortune and fame.
Colombus agreed to bring gold and all things that he found from the journey. As the reward, he requested noble title and fortune.
Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria
Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria were the ships used by Christopher Colombus and the crews in his first voyage. He started on August 3, 1942. Then, the ships land on October 12 in the same years.
Colombus assumed that he landed on Asia, but it was actually one of the Bahamian Islands. He also sailed through the islands of Caribbean to find gold, spices, and all precious goods as what he promised.
However, he could not find many goods to bring back. He also left some of crews on Hispaniola. Then, he returned to Spain in March 1493.
Other Voyages
Since he did not succeed in the first voyage, he sailed again in September 1493. He found that the settlement in Hispaniola was destroyed. Of course, he left other men to rebuild it.
He continued to seek the treasures, but these were almost fruitless and Queen Isabella was disappointed. Then, he had fruitless another voyage in 1498.
Because of the bad results, he lost his title and fame. Even, he was arrested. He got other chance from Spanish king to sail. It was his last voyage and it also gave him nothing. In the end, he died in 1506.
Colombus’ Legacy
His clear legacy was his initiative to start the age the discovery and exploration. Christopher Colombus also became the pioneer in exploring and exploit American continents.
However, this legacy also brought bad impact. Diseases and changes in environment became the huge impact on the native people, although Europeans could get new lands to mine and collect the resources.
All of his journeys and voyages made him the famous figure in history. World will always remember him as one of the biggest explorer. Of course, Christopher Colombus also has contribution in transforming the New World.
