voyages of christopher columbus meaning in urdu

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Christopher Columbus

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 11, 2023 | Original: November 9, 2009

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not “discover” the so-called New World—millions of people already lived there—his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America.

Christopher Columbus and the Age of Discovery

During the 15th and 16th centuries, leaders of several European nations sponsored expeditions abroad in the hope that explorers would find great wealth and vast undiscovered lands. The Portuguese were the earliest participants in this “ Age of Discovery ,” also known as “ Age of Exploration .”

Starting in about 1420, small Portuguese ships known as caravels zipped along the African coast, carrying spices, gold and other goods as well as enslaved people from Asia and Africa to Europe.

Did you know? Christopher Columbus was not the first person to propose that a person could reach Asia by sailing west from Europe. In fact, scholars argue that the idea is almost as old as the idea that the Earth is round. (That is, it dates back to early Rome.)

Other European nations, particularly Spain, were eager to share in the seemingly limitless riches of the “Far East.” By the end of the 15th century, Spain’s “ Reconquista ”—the expulsion of Jews and Muslims out of the kingdom after centuries of war—was complete, and the nation turned its attention to exploration and conquest in other areas of the world.

Early Life and Nationality 

Christopher Columbus, the son of a wool merchant, is believed to have been born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. When he was still a teenager, he got a job on a merchant ship. He remained at sea until 1476, when pirates attacked his ship as it sailed north along the Portuguese coast.

The boat sank, but the young Columbus floated to shore on a scrap of wood and made his way to Lisbon, where he eventually studied mathematics, astronomy, cartography and navigation. He also began to hatch the plan that would change the world forever.

Christopher Columbus' First Voyage

At the end of the 15th century, it was nearly impossible to reach Asia from Europe by land. The route was long and arduous, and encounters with hostile armies were difficult to avoid. Portuguese explorers solved this problem by taking to the sea: They sailed south along the West African coast and around the Cape of Good Hope.

But Columbus had a different idea: Why not sail west across the Atlantic instead of around the massive African continent? The young navigator’s logic was sound, but his math was faulty. He argued (incorrectly) that the circumference of the Earth was much smaller than his contemporaries believed it was; accordingly, he believed that the journey by boat from Europe to Asia should be not only possible, but comparatively easy via an as-yet undiscovered Northwest Passage . 

He presented his plan to officials in Portugal and England, but it was not until 1492 that he found a sympathetic audience: the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile .

Columbus wanted fame and fortune. Ferdinand and Isabella wanted the same, along with the opportunity to export Catholicism to lands across the globe. (Columbus, a devout Catholic, was equally enthusiastic about this possibility.)

Columbus’ contract with the Spanish rulers promised that he could keep 10 percent of whatever riches he found, along with a noble title and the governorship of any lands he should encounter.

Where Did Columbus' Ships, Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria, Land?

On August 3, 1492, Columbus and his crew set sail from Spain in three ships: the Niña , the Pinta and the Santa Maria . On October 12, the ships made landfall—not in the East Indies, as Columbus assumed, but on one of the Bahamian islands, likely San Salvador.

For months, Columbus sailed from island to island in what we now know as the Caribbean, looking for the “pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and other objects and merchandise whatsoever” that he had promised to his Spanish patrons, but he did not find much. In January 1493, leaving several dozen men behind in a makeshift settlement on Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), he left for Spain.

He kept a detailed diary during his first voyage. Christopher Columbus’s journal was written between August 3, 1492, and November 6, 1492 and mentions everything from the wildlife he encountered, like dolphins and birds, to the weather to the moods of his crew. More troublingly, it also recorded his initial impressions of the local people and his argument for why they should be enslaved.

“They… brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells," he wrote. "They willingly traded everything they owned… They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features… They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron… They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.”

Columbus gifted the journal to Isabella upon his return.

Christopher Columbus's Later Voyages

About six months later, in September 1493, Columbus returned to the Americas. He found the Hispaniola settlement destroyed and left his brothers Bartolomeo and Diego Columbus behind to rebuild, along with part of his ships’ crew and hundreds of enslaved indigenous people.

Then he headed west to continue his mostly fruitless search for gold and other goods. His group now included a large number of indigenous people the Europeans had enslaved. In lieu of the material riches he had promised the Spanish monarchs, he sent some 500 enslaved people to Queen Isabella. The queen was horrified—she believed that any people Columbus “discovered” were Spanish subjects who could not be enslaved—and she promptly and sternly returned the explorer’s gift.

In May 1498, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic for the third time. He visited Trinidad and the South American mainland before returning to the ill-fated Hispaniola settlement, where the colonists had staged a bloody revolt against the Columbus brothers’ mismanagement and brutality. Conditions were so bad that Spanish authorities had to send a new governor to take over.

Meanwhile, the native Taino population, forced to search for gold and to work on plantations, was decimated (within 60 years after Columbus landed, only a few hundred of what may have been 250,000 Taino were left on their island). Christopher Columbus was arrested and returned to Spain in chains.

In 1502, cleared of the most serious charges but stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus persuaded the Spanish crown to pay for one last trip across the Atlantic. This time, Columbus made it all the way to Panama—just miles from the Pacific Ocean—where he had to abandon two of his four ships after damage from storms and hostile natives. Empty-handed, the explorer returned to Spain, where he died in 1506.

Legacy of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus did not “discover” the Americas, nor was he even the first European to visit the “New World.” (Viking explorer Leif Erikson had sailed to Greenland and Newfoundland in the 11th century.)

However, his journey kicked off centuries of exploration and exploitation on the American continents. The Columbian Exchange transferred people, animals, food and disease across cultures. Old World wheat became an American food staple. African coffee and Asian sugar cane became cash crops for Latin America, while American foods like corn, tomatoes and potatoes were introduced into European diets. 

Today, Columbus has a controversial legacy —he is remembered as a daring and path-breaking explorer who transformed the New World, yet his actions also unleashed changes that would eventually devastate the native populations he and his fellow explorers encountered.

HISTORY Vault: Columbus the Lost Voyage

Ten years after his 1492 voyage, Columbus, awaiting the gallows on criminal charges in a Caribbean prison, plotted a treacherous final voyage to restore his reputation.

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Voyages of Columbus

• 1 Understand
• 2 First voyage
• 3 Second voyage
• 4 Third voyage
• 5 Fourth voyage

Christopher Columbus ( Italian : Cristoforo Colombo ; Spanish : Cristóbal Colón ) made four voyages from Spain to the Caribbean from 1492 to 1503. Though he neither discovered the Americas (as they were already inhabited by indigenous peoples) nor made the first crossing of the Atlantic (the Vikings reached North America 500 years earlier), his voyages had an enormous impact on world history, and started the so-called " Age of Discovery " and European colonialism. He also started the Transatlantic slave trade .

In any case, different forms of the name Columbus (such as his Spanish name Colón ) are used for several places in the Americas, including the nation of Colombia . The currency of Costa Rica (and of El Salvador from 1892 to 2001) is the "colón".

Columbus and his men also committed genocides of the indigenous peoples, and forced many indigenous women into sexual slavery. Long overlooked in mainstream Western historical chronicles, the dark side of his legacy is beginning to come to light again and be further explored since the early 2010s.

Understand [ edit ]

In the Middle Ages, trade between Europe and Asia followed the Silk Road through the Byzantine Empire and Mongolian lands. As the Mongol Empire crumbled, and the Ottoman Empire seized the Byzantine capital Constantinople in 1453, European Christians were encouraged to find new ways of commerce.

Columbus was born in Genoa (see Medieval and Renaissance Italy ). He toured Europe for seven years to find a sponsor for his voyage, and was turned down by many royal courts, until Spain backed him up. A modern misconception says that the skepticism was based in a belief that Earth was flat. However, scholars of the 15th century were well aware that Earth was round; the disagreement was about its size. Since Ancient Greece , there were accurate estimates that Earth's circumference was about 40,000 kilometres, correctly stating that the voyage westwards to India would be too long to be practical; let alone that the Americas were unknown to Europeans back then. Columbus, however, incorrectly believed that Earth was smaller, which he thought would allow a simple voyage westwards towards Asia.

Though Columbus never reached Asia, contemporary explorers found the Cape Route around Africa . Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498. Ferdinand Magellan launched an expedition that rounded South America, and reached Asia from the Pacific Ocean in 1521, thereby fulfilling Columbus' ambition. His denial of having reached an unknown continent survives in the terms West Indies for the Caribbean, and Indians for the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Columbus paved the way for the Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation , which was completed in 1522.

First voyage [ edit ]

• Palos de la Frontera , Spain
• Canary Islands
• Bahamas : The island where Columbus made his first landfall was called Guanahani by the indigenous people, and named San Salvador by Columbus. While the exact location was forgotten, it was probably Samana Cay or Plana Cays .

Second voyage [ edit ]

• Marie-Galante
• Saint Martin
• Saint Croix
• Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico

Third voyage [ edit ]

• Trinidad and Tobago

Fourth voyage [ edit ]

• Cayman Islands

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What Is The Purpose Of Christopher Columbus’s Voyage?

Published: December 14, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Vonny Gosnell

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Introduction

When it comes to the history of exploration, Christopher Columbus is a name that is etched in the annals of time. His voyage in 1492 is widely celebrated as a major milestone in human exploration, forever changing the course of history. But what was the purpose behind Columbus’s journey? What motivated him to set sail across the Atlantic Ocean into the unknown?

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, and colonizer born in Genoa in 1451. During the 15th century, Europe was gripped by a fervent desire to explore new lands and establish trade routes to the prosperous regions of Asia. Columbus, like many others at the time, believed that he could reach Asia by sailing westward instead of the traditional eastward route.

This article delves into the various motivations that drove Christopher Columbus to undertake his legendary voyage. From the quest for a new trade route to the desire to spread Christianity, explore the thirst for fame and glory, and examine the role of sponsorship, we will unravel the layers of purpose behind Columbus’s journey. We will also touch upon the impact of his voyage and the controversies that surround his legacy.

Join us on this fascinating exploration as we seek answers to the question: What was the purpose of Christopher Columbus’s voyage?

Background of Christopher Columbus

Before diving into the motivations behind his voyage, it is essential to understand the background of Christopher Columbus. Born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, Columbus hailed from a humble family of weavers. Despite his modest beginnings, he possessed a burning curiosity and an insatiable thirst for exploration.

Columbus’s interest in navigation and exploration was sparked at a young age. He spent his early years at sea, soaking up knowledge and honing his skills as a sailor. His voyages took him to various parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean, allowing him to gain invaluable experience and navigational expertise.

During his travels, Columbus became acquainted with the prevailing theories of his time, which suggested that there might be a shorter route to the riches of Asia by sailing west instead of the traditional eastward route. Inspired by these ideas and armed with navigational knowledge, Columbus was determined to explore this possibility.

In addition to his seafaring experience, Columbus also possessed a deep knowledge of geography and cartography. He studied the works of renowned scholars, such as Ptolemy and Toscanelli, who hypothesized that the Earth was round and that Asia could be reached by sailing west.

Driven by a passion for discovery and a desire to prove the theories of these scholars, Columbus dedicated his life to securing sponsorship and support for his ambitious expedition. Little did he know that his journey would forever alter the course of history and usher in a new era of exploration.

With this understanding of Christopher Columbus’s background, let us now explore the motivations that compelled him to embark on his momentous voyage.

The Motivation behind Columbus’s Voyage

Christopher Columbus’s decision to embark on his historic voyage was fueled by a combination of multiple motivations. These include the quest for a new trade route to Asia, the desire to spread Christianity, and the pursuit of fame and glory.

These motivations, overlapping and intertwined, fueled Columbus’s determination to secure sponsorship for his voyage and ultimately set sail into the unknown. In the next sections, we will examine how these motivations manifested in the preparations, sponsorship, and impact of Columbus’s voyage.

Seeking a New Trade Route to Asia

One of the primary motivations behind Christopher Columbus’s voyage was the quest for a new trade route to Asia. In the 15th century, European nations were eager to bypass the cumbersome and expensive Silk Road, which stretched across the vast expanse of Asia, in search of a direct path to the lucrative markets of the East.

The Silk Road was a series of ancient trade routes connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Controlled by middlemen and subject to heavy taxes and political instability, this overland route posed numerous challenges to European traders. Different powers vied for control over the lucrative trade, resulting in conflicts and changing alliances that disrupted the flow of goods.

Columbus, inspired by the theories of renowned scholars, believed that by sailing westward, he could reach Asia more quickly and establish a direct sea route. His reasoning was based on the assumption that the Earth was round, and that by travelling west, he would eventually circumnavigate the globe and arrive at Asia from the opposite side.

To finance his voyage, Columbus saw great potential in securing sponsorship from European monarchs and wealthy merchants. He envisioned that, by discovering a new maritime route to Asia, he would guarantee his sponsors significant economic advantages over their competitors. Direct access to the plentiful resources and exotic goods of Asia, such as spices, silk, and precious metals, would eliminate the need for arduous overland journeys and allow for greater control over trade.

It is important to note that Columbus was not alone in his pursuit of a new trade route. In fact, during the 15th century, numerous explorers and navigators were venturing into the uncharted waters of the Atlantic Ocean in search of a western passage to Asia. However, it was Columbus who successfully secured sponsorship from the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, and set in motion the expedition that would forever change history.

Ultimately, while Columbus’s voyage did not lead him to the riches of Asia as he had hoped, it did open the door to a new era of exploration and colonization. His accidental discovery of the Americas would go on to reshape world trade, colonization, and cultural exchange, transforming the global landscape in ways that could never have been foreseen.

Spreading Christianity

Another significant motivation behind Christopher Columbus’s voyage was the desire to spread Christianity. During the 15th century, the Catholic Church held immense power and influence in Europe, and the fervor for spreading the Christian faith was at its zenith. Explorers like Columbus saw their voyages as opportunities to bring Christianity to new lands and expand the reach of the Catholic Church.

Columbus firmly believed that by reaching Asia, or what he believed to be Asia, he could introduce the native inhabitants to the teachings of Christianity. He saw himself as a messenger of God, carrying out a divine mission to convert non-believers and save souls. Columbus’s religious conviction was so strong that he believed the completion of his voyage would fulfill a biblical prophecy and set the stage for the Second Coming of Christ.

This religious zeal was also intertwined with the prevailing sentiment of the time, which viewed the expansion of Christianity as a just and noble cause. The Catholic Church had been deeply affected by the Protestant Reformation, and there was a renewed urgency to reclaim lost territories and bring recalcitrant souls back into the fold.

Moreover, the promise of converting indigenous peoples to Christianity had broader political, economic, and cultural implications. The conversion of native populations would establish the influence of European powers in these newly discovered lands. It would also facilitate the spread of European customs, laws, and governance, creating a sense of cultural dominance over the conquered territories.

However, the reality of the encounters between Columbus and the indigenous peoples of the Americas was far more complex. The native populations had their own well-established belief systems, cultures, and customs that differed greatly from European Christianity. The interactions between the two often resulted in clashes and misunderstandings, leading to the imposition of European values and the erosion of native traditions.

It is essential to note that the motives behind spreading Christianity were not solely altruistic. Alongside religious fervor, there was a desire for control and domination over new lands. The Catholic Church and European powers saw the conversion of indigenous peoples as a means of subjugating them to European authority and exploiting their resources.

Ultimately, the impact of Columbus’s voyage on the spread of Christianity was complex and multifaceted. While his journey did introduce Christianity to some parts of the Americas, it also had far-reaching consequences that would profoundly affect the cultural and religious landscape of the newly discovered continents.

Fame and Glory

Alongside the pursuit of economic gain and the spread of Christianity, the pursuit of fame and glory was a significant motivation behind Christopher Columbus’s voyage. In the 15th century, exploration and discovery were highly revered, and those who embarked on successful expeditions were celebrated as heroes and revered for their accomplishments.

Columbus, driven by a deep desire for recognition, saw his voyage as an opportunity to leave a lasting impact on history and secure a place among the great explorers of his time. He yearned for the fame and glory that came with charting new territories, discovering new lands, and proving himself to be an exceptional navigator.

During the Age of Discovery, explorers who ventured into unknown waters and made significant discoveries were often rewarded with titles, wealth, and recognition from monarchs and other influential figures. These accolades elevated their status and ensured their place in history books.

Columbus’s expectation of the wealth and recognition that would come from his successful expedition fueled his determination. He believed that by finding a new trade route to Asia, he would not only acquire vast riches for himself and his sponsors but also garner praise and admiration from rulers and the general public.

However, it is important to note that Columbus’s desire for fame and glory was not solely personal. The prestige associated with successful voyages attracted sponsors who were willing to finance such expeditions. The promise of wealth and recognition motivated powerful patrons, such as Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, to back Columbus’s venture, as they saw it as an opportunity to raise their own status and expand their empire.

While Columbus did achieve fame and recognition, the legacy of his voyage is complex. His accidental discovery of the Americas, while significant, would be followed by controversial actions and subsequent expeditions that would tarnish his reputation. Nonetheless, Columbus’s fame and the impact of his voyage laid the foundation for future explorations, colonization, and the establishment of European empires in the New World.

In the end, Columbus’s aspirations for fame and glory, intertwined with economic ambitions and the spread of Christianity, propelled him to set sail into the unknown and shape the course of history.

The Role of Sponsorship

The success of Christopher Columbus’s voyage would not have been possible without the crucial role played by sponsorship. Columbus’s ambitious expedition required significant financial support, resources, and political backing to become a reality.

Securing sponsorship for his voyage was an arduous task for Columbus. He faced numerous rejections and setbacks before finally finding support from the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Their sponsorship provided Columbus with the necessary funding, ships, and crew to embark on his monumental journey.

The motivation behind the Catholic Monarchs’ sponsorship was multifaceted. Firstly, they hoped to establish new trade routes to rival those controlled by their European rivals, especially Portugal. By financing Columbus’s voyage, they saw an opportunity to gain an economic advantage and expand their wealth and influence.

Additionally, the sponsorship was partially driven by religious fervor. Ferdinand and Isabella were fervent Catholics, and spreading Christianity was a deeply ingrained goal of their reign. They saw Columbus’s voyage as a means to extend the influence of the Catholic Church, convert indigenous populations to Christianity, and cement their Christian legacy.

Sponsorship also offered political advantages. By supporting Columbus, the Catholic Monarchs aimed to assert their dominance over other European powers by claiming new territories and resources. They hoped to establish Spanish sovereignty in the lands that Columbus would discover, securing their place as leaders in the Age of Exploration.

It is important to note that sponsorship was not limited to the Catholic Monarchs alone. Columbus’s journey was made possible through the support of various individuals and entities, including wealthy merchants and influential backers who believed in the potential profitability and prestige associated with exploration.

The sponsorship provided by these individuals and institutions went beyond monetary support. It included the provision of ships, supplies, and scientific instruments needed for the voyage. Sponsorship often came with certain expectations and demands, such as granting the sponsors a share in any newfound wealth or securing territorial claims as a result of the expedition.

The role of sponsorship in Columbus’s voyage cannot be overstated. Without the financial backing and resources provided by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain and other sponsors, Columbus’s expedition may have remained a mere dream. Their support transformed Columbus’s vision into a reality and enabled him to embark on his historic journey, forever reshaping the world we know today.

The Impact of Columbus’s Voyage

Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492 had a profound and far-reaching impact on the world. While his initial intent was to find a new trade route to Asia, his accidental discovery of the Americas dramatically altered the course of history, leading to significant consequences and transformations.

One of the most notable impacts of Columbus’s voyage was the opening of the Americas to European exploration, colonization, and exploitation. While various indigenous civilizations had thrived in the Americas for thousands of years, Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era characterized by European domination and the establishment of colonial empires.

The discovery of the New World had immense implications for global trade and economics. It sparked a period of intense exploration and colonization as European powers sought to claim territories and access the vast resources of the Americas. This led to the establishment of transatlantic trade routes and the exchange of goods, animals, crops, and diseases between the Old World and the New World, an event known as the Columbian Exchange. The Columbian Exchange had a significant impact on both hemispheres, transforming agriculture, introducing new crops and livestock, and reshaping cultures and societies.

The arrival of Europeans also had devastating consequences for the indigenous populations of the Americas. The spread of European diseases, to which the native populations had no immunity, resulted in the decimation of millions of indigenous peoples. Conflicts and forced labor further contributed to the decline of indigenous civilizations and the imposition of European dominance.

Furthermore, Columbus’s voyage set in motion centuries of European exploration and colonization, resulting in the establishment of vast colonial empires, including those of Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and the Netherlands. These empires had a profound impact on the political, economic, and cultural landscapes of both the Americas and Europe.

While the long-term consequences of Columbus’s voyage are subject to ongoing debate and scrutiny, there is no denying its significance in shaping the modern world. It opened up new horizons of exploration, transformed global trade and economies, initiated a period of colonial domination, and forever changed the interconnectedness of societies.

Today, the legacy of Columbus’s voyage is complex. It is celebrated as a vital moment in history but is also met with criticism for the negative impacts it had on indigenous peoples and their cultures. The recognition of these complexities prompts us to reflect on and learn from the past, in order to strive for a more inclusive, equitable, and just future.

Controversies Surrounding Columbus’s Purpose

The purpose behind Christopher Columbus’s voyage has been the subject of much controversy and debate throughout history. While Columbus is often celebrated as a great explorer, his motivations and the effects of his actions have come under scrutiny, leading to a reevaluation of his legacy.

One of the primary controversies surrounding Columbus’s purpose is his role in the European colonization of the Americas. While Columbus intended to find a new trade route to Asia, his accidental discovery of the Americas led to the colonization, exploitation, and subjugation of indigenous peoples. This has raised questions about the true intentions behind his voyage and whether he can be viewed as a heroic figure or an agent of European imperialism.

Furthermore, the manner in which Columbus and subsequent European explorers interacted with the indigenous populations has been heavily critiqued. The violence, forced labor, and diseases brought by the Europeans resulted in the devastation of native civilizations and the loss of millions of lives. This has sparked debates about the ethics of exploration and the detrimental impact of Columbus’s actions on the native peoples and their cultures.

There are also disputes about Columbus’s adherence to his stated purpose. Some argue that his primary focus was on personal gain and acquiring wealth rather than reaching Asia or spreading Christianity. They claim that his journey was driven by a desire for fame, fortune, and establishing his own legacy, rather than purely noble intentions.

Additionally, Columbus’s own writings and the accounts of those who accompanied him reveal a darker side of his character. Reports of his mistreatment of indigenous peoples, including enslavement and brutal punishments, have marred his reputation. These controversies challenge the heroic narrative often associated with Columbus and force a critical reexamination of his character and conduct.

The controversies surrounding Columbus’s purpose have led to ongoing discussions about how he and other explorers should be remembered and acknowledged in history. There have been calls for a more comprehensive and balanced narrative that acknowledges the negative consequences of exploration and the importance of indigenous perspectives. This has prompted efforts to recognize the Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative to Columbus Day in some places, seeking to honor and celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of the native peoples.

While there may be differing opinions on Columbus’s purpose, it is undeniable that his voyage had significant and lasting effects on the world. The controversies surrounding his motivations serve as a reminder of the complexities of history and the need for a nuanced understanding of the impact of exploration and colonization.

Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492 marked a pivotal moment in human history. His motivations were multifaceted, driven by a desire to find a new trade route to Asia, spread Christianity, and achieve fame and glory. Columbus’s journey, however, had far-reaching impacts that were both transformative and controversial.

His accidental discovery of the Americas opened up a new era of exploration, colonization, and exchange between the hemispheres. It led to the establishment of colonial empires, reshaped global trade and economies through the Columbian Exchange, and forever altered the cultural and political landscapes of the world.

However, the consequences of Columbus’s voyage were not without their controversies. The colonization and exploitation of indigenous populations, forced labor, and the devastating impact of European diseases sparked debates about the ethics of exploration, the true motivations behind Columbus’s journey, and the consequences of his actions. Columbus’s legacy has been reevaluated, with a focus on the voices and perspectives of the indigenous peoples who were profoundly affected by his arrival in the Americas.

It is essential to acknowledge the complexities of history and the need for a balanced understanding of Columbus’s purpose and impact. While his voyage played a crucial role in shaping the modern world, it is essential to confront the darker aspects of his legacy. This requires critical examination, recognizing both the achievements and the detrimental consequences of his actions.

The controversies surrounding Columbus’s purpose serve as a reminder of the responsibility to address historical narratives with nuanced perspectives, inclusivity, and sensitivity. The ongoing discussions and reevaluation of Columbus’s voyage also emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring the history, cultures, and contributions of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

In conclusion, Christopher Columbus’s voyage was driven by a combination of economic ambitions, religious fervor, and personal aspirations for fame and glory. While his achievements in exploration cannot be denied, the impact of his actions and the controversies that surround his purpose underscore the need to critically analyze history, embrace diverse perspectives, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable understanding of the past and its ramifications on the present.

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1492: Columbus in American Memory

Columbus Day is here again — bringing both celebrations and denunciations of the man whose name the holiday bears. And it’s not just the holiday: Christopher Columbus’s name has been worked into numerous cities across the United States, the names of ships and universities — even a space shuttle. And from an early age, schoolchildren learn about the voyages of the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa María, and the man who “discovered” the American continent. But many Americans have also questioned Columbus’s legacy. Should we venerate a man who symbolizes European colonization, and who inaugurated the decimation of native populations that would continue for centuries?

So on this episode of BackStory , Peter, Ed, and Brian explore the controversial Columbian legacy, diving into current debates, and looking back on how earlier generations have understood America’s purported discoverer. When and why did we begin to revere the Italian explorer? Who has seized on his legacy, and who has contested it?

ED: This is BackStory. I’m Ed Ayers.

It was 521 years ago this week that Christopher Columbus came ashore in the Bahamas. And ever since, people have been struggling to define just what that event meant. For the first 300 years, he was only one in a sea of European explorers. But in the early decades of US history, a bestselling biography helped elevate Columbus above the rest.

ROLENA ADORNO: So what emerges is this sole heroic figure who has to work against the interests of others.

ED: These days, Columbus has been taken down more than a few notches. In some high school history classrooms this fall, in fact, he’s even being put on trial for mass murder.

STUDENT AS QUEEN ISABELLA: We gave him money for spices and gold. We didn’t give it for him to shed blood and kill all those people.

ED: Today on BackStory, Christopher Columbus’s long and twisted journey through history.

PETER: Major funding for BackStory is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the University of Virginia, the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

ED: From the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, this is BackStory with the American Backstory hosts.

BRIAN: Welcome to the show. I’m Brian Balogh, and I’m here with Ed Ayers.

ED: Hi, Brian.

BRIAN: And Peter Onuf’s with us.

PETER: Hey, Brian.

DAN RATHER: 500 years ago today, Christopher Columbus landed on a Caribbean island thinking he was off the coast of Asia. He found–

BRIAN: This is a CBS News report from October 12, 1992. Columbus Day.

DAN RATHER: Was he a genius, a tyrant, or both? As John Blackstone reports, the argument is gaining momentum today.

BRIAN: Ground zero for that argument was San Francisco. Columbus Day was a big deal for the city’s Italian American community. They’d been celebrating it since 1869. There was a parade with floats and marching bands and local politicians mugging for the crowd. Italian American girls competed to be crowned Queen Isabella.

PETER: And of course, there was also Christopher Columbus. Each year a reenactor represented the great navigator himself, complete with sword and gold cross. And for the 500th anniversary, the coordinating committee had something special planned. Columbus would arrive not by plane, train, or automobile, but by boat, just like in olden times.

JOHN BLACKSTONE: Joseph Cervetto was all dressed up and ready to wade ashore triumphantly as part of the festivities in San Francisco yesterday.

BRIAN: But when Cervetto’s boat got close to shore on the big day, his crew noticed a problem. There was a crowd of around 4,000 protesters lining the waterfront. They were part of a coalition led in part by the American Indian movement, and they held signs with slogans like, “End 500 years of racism!” and “No to slavery and genocide.” They were there to stop Columbus from landing.

PETER: One of those protesters was a man named Sam Diener. He was on shore handing out pamphlets and he remembers other protesters bobbing out into the bay in boats. He called it a peace navy.

SAM DIENER: This motley collection of canoes and kayaks and sailboats with signs and banners, and folks crisscrossing the bay ready to greet any ship that came in with the Columbus actor.

JOHN BLACKSTONE: The welcoming party was so unfriendly that Columbus just waved from way out beyond the breakwater and kept on sailing.

MALE SPEAKER: Maybe next year he might show up.

SAM DIENER: There was an announcement that came out that the folks who were organizing the Columbus landing had decided not to run the gauntlet of the peace navy and not to land at Aquatic Park after all. And a big cheer came from the crowd. And basically at that point, people hugged each other and congratulated each other, and we dispersed.

PETER: Unfortunately, the day didn’t end so peacefully. After Columbus turned around, most of the protesters, like Sam, went their separate ways. But a few hundred headed over to the official parade, which wound through a heavily Italian part of town. According to news reports, that’s when things got out of hand.

BRIAN: Some protesters threw raw eggs at parade floats. Others shouted, “Mass murdering pig!” at the Columbus reenactor, who had– yep– finally made it to land. A few even threw Molotov cocktails.

Some paraders fought back, leading to fights in the street. In the end, police arrested 40 demonstrators for disrupting the parade and inciting riot.

PETER: National newspapers and TV networks picked up the story. It was the first major Columbus Day protest to get this kind of widespread coverage. And for many Americans, it was their first real exposure to the idea of Columbus as a villain.

SAM DIENER: I remember also going home on the bus talking with this older Italian American woman who was just befuddled and confused and a little bit hurt by all these protests. And she was like, why are you protesting Columbus? Are you anti-Italian? What is this? And it disturbed her.

And that was interesting to me to encounter a previous generation’s view of Columbus. And what Columbus for her meant was about her Italian pride, not having ever been exposed to the idea that Columbus committed horrible crimes.

PETER: For the rest of the hour today on BackStory, we’re going to look at the ways this one man has meant so many things to so many different people. From his transformation into the figure of Columbia way back in the founding period to the celebration of his origins by immigrants a century later, we’ll look at the ways generations of Americans have discovered, and rediscovered, Columbus.

ED: But before we consider Columbus’s legacy, we thought we should spend a few minutes considering what the man himself actually did. To do that, I sat down with Tony Horwitz. A few years ago, he dug into the story of Columbus’s voyages for a book he was writing. And he found that a lot of the things we think we know about Columbus just aren’t true.

Like the one for example, about how everybody else in 1492 thought the world was flat? Well actually, the idea that the Earth was round had been taken seriously since Aristotle. For centuries.

TONY HORWITZ: Columbus’s great vision was not that the world was round, but that it was small.

ED: [LAUGHS]

TONY HORWITZ: Columbus, drawing largely on scriptural sources in various mystical texts, felt that it was a matter of weeks to sail from Spain to the Indies, as it was known then. He was really looking for China and Japan and the riches of Asia. And that was a smaller distance than it actually is. It’s about 12,000 miles.

TONY HORWITZ: And he thought it was only a few thousand. So really, he succeeded because he was so desperately wrong.

ED: Wow, that’s fascinating. So Columbus’s great contribution, ironically, does not grow out of being an early Enlightenment thinker, but rather of being a one of a kind mystical thinker.

TONY HORWITZ: Yeah. To me, Columbus really represents more the end of medieval thinking, rather than an early Enlightenment figure.

He was also at the right place at the right moment and found a willing ear in Queen Isabella in particular, who was very pious. Part of what he promised was that the riches he discovered would be used to fund a crusade really, to reclaim Jerusalem for Christians. So I think he appealed to her partly on religious grounds.

ED: Tony, can you recreate for us what that moment of first contact with the native peoples looked like?

TONY HORWITZ: Columbus’s first landfall in the Americas is at the eastern edge of the Bahamas. It’s a peaceful encounter. He talks about the beauty of the landscape. He describes the people, who he finds very attractive and needless to say, have a lot of strange customs, one of which is smoking this leaf that they call tobacco.

There’s also a wonderful moment when he’s fed a strange creature. It was probably an iguana. And in this journal– I am not making this up– he writes, “tastes like chicken.”

TONY HORWITZ: I have to believe that’s the earliest such reference to that. One really disturbing note is he almost instantly writes of how these people are so childlike and willing that they could easily be turned into servants of the crown. By which he really means slaves.

He’s searching for gold and spice, and the islanders say something, which he clearly doesn’t understand, that suggests to him that just over the horizon he will find what he’s looking for. They were probably trying to get rid of him. And he sails off quite quickly to Cuba. And really, everywhere he lands, this somewhat comic scene repeats itself, where Columbus communicates what they’re after and islanders say, not here, but if you keep sailing, you’ll find it at the next place.

ED: So that sounds like a glorious, if unfulfilled voyage. He goes back home and he’s welcomed with celebration, I’m assuming. And then what happens?

TONY HORWITZ: Columbus returns to Spain with parrots and jewelry and other interesting items from his voyage, including about 10 natives, and is commissioned to embark on a second voyage with an enormous fleet and 1,200 men. And he tours much of the rest of the Caribbean and gradually becomes something of a failure.

He was, by all accounts, a great mariner and navigator. But he was hopeless on land and very poor as an administrator. So when his initial discoveries lead to the creation of a settlement, his fortunes really begin to go downhill. He sails off whenever there’s troubled to find other places, leaving incompetents in command– often family members.

And after his third voyage to America, he’s actually arrested and brought back to Spain in chains on charges of mismanagement and incompetence and brutality. And though he’s freed after six weeks, he really is a disgraced or distrusted man within Spain. And he has one more voyage, which is even more disastrous, and ends his days as really a very sad, broken figure.

ED: Well, I don’t want to hear that!

TONY HORWITZ: [LAUGHS]

ED: That’s not American! I mean, it’s a Horatio Alger in reverse, right?

TONY HORWITZ: Yeah.

ED: That he starts out successful, but then he can’t actually deliver on it. And this was widely recognized at the time? I mean, was he famous and then forgotten?

TONY HORWITZ: He is certainly famous in his day. Some of his letters and reports of his voyages get around Europe very quickly.

But one of the great ironies of Columbus’s story is that while he makes all these great discoveries, he doesn’t understand himself what he’s done. He continues to believe, apparently to his dying day, that he had reached Asia. And others were a little more clear-eyed and began to see that what he and his men were describing was not Asia. It really was a new world.

And as a result, it was others who began to build on those discoveries and even take credit for them. So that he became more and more lost really, in his own mind.

At one point, he even decides that the world isn’t round. He thinks he’s sailing uphill, and that the world is actually shaped more like a pear with a nipple where he thinks the Garden of Eden lies. So he really loses his way, and in some ways, seems to lose his mind in the course of these four voyages.

ED: Tony Horwitz is the author of A Voyage Long and Strange, among many other books. We have posted a link to an excerpt from that book at backstoryradio.org.

BRIAN: It’s time for a quick break. When we get back, the man who made Columbus into an all-American hero.

PETER: You’re listening to BackStory, and we’ll be back in a minute.

BRIAN: This is BackStory. I’m Brian Balogh.

ED: I’m Ed Ayers.

PETER: And I’m Peter Onuf. We’re marking Columbus Day with a look back at the many makeovers Christopher Columbus has undergone throughout American history.

BRIAN: We have a question from one of our listeners that came in on our website. It’s from Shane Carter, who teaches history. And Shane says that each year his students become fascinated by the other Spanish sailors who made their way to North America after Christopher Columbus in the 1500s.

People like Cabeza de Vaca and Vasquez de Coronado. Both those guys explored vast stretches of the current day Southwest. And then of course, there was Hernando de Soto, who traveled over what’s now the Southeast, and was the first known European to cross the Mississippi.

Shane writes that– and now I’m going to quote– “In order for the US to claim any kind of connection to Columbus, we seem to need to ignore 100 plus years of history.” So what do you think, Peter, Ed? Why does Columbus loom so much larger in our national mythology than these Spanish guys? After all, they actually made it to our land mass.

ED: When you really do think about it, it is remarkable how little enduring memorialization there is of de Soto, who would’ve covered more of what’s now British North America then anybody, right? Until Lewis and Clark.

PETER: Yeah.

ED: And we have no memory of him at all! So I think that Shane’s question’s an excellent one. And I wonder if it has something to do with Columbus’s uncertain ethnic origins. The fact that he’s kind of Italian, kind of Spanish. He’s kind of pa-European.

PETER: Well, he’s Italian, but he’s for sale. [LAUGHS] And whoever would sponsor him will get the advantage of his enterprise. So that idea that he’s up for grabs makes him a kind of European, a generic European. And that’s the way he sells himself.

I mean, this is a step– we had steps on the moon for mankind. Well, this is a step into the New World for Christendom, for Europe. And so he’s the beginning of everything in this age of the penetration of the New World. And then other national traditions that become increasingly clearly national traditions build on that beginning.

ED: Well, and it’s not just a national tradition in general. And Shane’s question is, how about these guys from Spain?

PETER: They’re the ones who actually come to what becomes the United States. But they come of course, in the name of the king of Spain. And here we get into dueling imperial histories.

What is the United States’ claim to North America? It’s not based on Spanish discoveries. It’s based first on English discoveries, English settlements.

And if you acknowledge the discoverers and you say they yeah, they were there, they planted the flag, it’s theirs! No. The British insist that it’s open space. It’s terra nullius. So in a way, the mapping of the New World leads to our interpretation of its history.

I think what’s interesting is you’ll get more interest in these figures– Coronado, de Soto, de Vaca, and so forth– now as we begin to understand the multi-imperial origins of the United States. And now that there’s a large Hispanic population, then these figures become important and Columbus fades away.

ED: OK. So what we will expect now is the Hispanicization of discovery, right?

PETER: You are so right.

ED: You know, Brian, I think you’re probably on the cutting edge of historical reclamation. I think listeners to our shows know that you are proud native of Southern Florida. Was there any sense of this sort of Spanish era in your childhood?

BRIAN: You bet there was, Ed. I went to Ponce de Leon Junior High School in Coral Gables, Florida.

PETER: Oh, that’s why you’re so youthful!

BRIAN: Eternally! And even before that, in elementary school, the history curriculum emphasized de Soto far more than Christopher Columbus. We were very proud of those Spanish explorers and conquistadors. And I’m not going to tell you about my toreador pants.

PETER: Well, you wouldn’t have been proud if you were a little bit older than you are now and were born in the 19th century. It’s only in the 20th century that new regional traditions emerged in the United States to reinforce the notion of the United States as a great power. The California missions, the southwest border lands, all became Spanish in the national imagination in the 20th century, long after they really were Spanish in any sense of the word.

ED: Yeah, after we’d actually established that we owned all that.

ED: Sure, put an adobe house here or there, right?

PETER: That’s exactly true! It’s a tourist scam! Think of Santa Fe. It’s make believe. It’s Disneyland before its time.

ED: So it sounds like to me that Shane makes a really good point, that we do ignore this 100 years ’cause we’re not exactly sure what to do with it. Precisely because it does have historical content, it’s like, oh man, that opens up a lot of issues. Let’s just go from Columbus to the Puritans and forget all that stuff that happened in between.

PETER: [LAUGHS]

ED: Well, if you’re just joining us, this is BackStory and we’re talking about the ways Americans have told and retold the story of Christopher Columbus in the years since 1492.

BRIAN: If it was Columbus’s ambiguous origins that made him available for the taking, it was more than 300 years before somebody in America actually seized on that opportunity. That somebody was Washington Irving, better known today as the author of “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” But in the 1820s, Irving’s Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, the first English language biography of the explorer, was a best seller. And it formed the basis for the Columbus that a lot of people would recognize today.

PETER: I sat down with Rolena Adorno, a professor of Spanish at Yale University. She told me that it was a visit to Spain that led Irving to chronicle Columbus’s story.

ROLENA ADORNO: When he was there, it was suggested to him that he produce a translation of the great body of documents associated with Christopher Columbus that were just being published at the time. In Spanish, of course. And he took a look at this massive corpus and realized that a translation would be more than a lifelong task for him. So he turned instead to, in fact, write a narrative of the life of Columbus.

PETER: Rolena, what about this portrait that Irving gives us of Columbus would you say was new?

ROLENA ADORNO: What Irving made perfectly clear was to create Columbus as a self-made man. And that’s an expression we get from a speech on the floor of the US Senate sometime during this same period. That is to say the individual who against all odds, with a visionary hope of his own, and full confidence that he can realize that vision, forges ahead, leaving anything and everybody who doesn’t want to go with him behind. It’s the frontier spirit.

PETER: Right. Irving’s Columbus then gives us a window into American cultural history of the period, or how Americans were beginning to think about themselves as they constructed their back story.

ROLENA ADORNO: Exactly. Exactly. It’s a Columbus who is somebody in a foreign land. It is someone who is going to create his own destiny, and that of an entire new world. And of course, in the United States this was so resonant in that period.

Remember, we’re in the period between the War of 1812. We are not yet into the era that will become the onset of the US Civil War. So it is a great time of expanding westward. And Columbus is a, shall I say, prototype of that adventure. So I think that’s always the resonance for this Columbus, this pioneering, entrepreneurial Columbus.

PETER: Rolena, we are terrible skeptics and cynics these days. It’s hard for us to read Washington Irving and believe that he believed what he was saying. Was he not aware of what seems like such blatant, romantic, over the top distortion?

ROLENA ADORNO: I think he was aware of that distortion. And the way I think that he was aware of it is by whitewashing Columbus himself. And putting the guilt for greed, exploitation of all sorts on the back of King Ferdinand and those seditious expeditionaries that were with him and those who followed.

These are Washington Irving’s words. He says that Columbus was, “continually outraged in his dignity, and braved in the exercise of his command, foiled in his plans by the seditions of turbulent and ruthless men.”

PETER: Whoa.

ROLENA ADORNO: And I must add, why is he doing this? He’s doing this of course, because even in Irving’s day, the fatal flaw was what led to the enslavement of a continent of peoples. So the way Irving casts this is that no, it was Columbus who had the heroic vision. And it was the others, not Columbus, who are responsible for all of the indignities that he suffered, not to mention the exploitation that the native peoples of the Americas suffered.

PETER: I’m wondering if the heroic Columbus doesn’t have an afterlife? We’ve beaten him down in the academy, but that sense of boy’s own adventure, enterprise, all that stuff. And it survived in school textbooks, didn’t it, well into the 20th century?

ROLENA ADORNO: It certainly did. Yes, as a kind of model of conduct. And so that image lived on and on.

And you may well imagine that when it was excerpted or when popular versions or textbook versions were made, they highlighted exactly the characteristics that we’ve been talking about. The sole individual, visionary in outlook, practical in approach, ready to conquer new worlds, ready to extend new frontiers, ready to do well for himself while claiming to do good for others.

PETER: Rolena Adorno is the Sterling Professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Yale University.

ED: And so it was Washington Irving who gave Christopher Columbus his heroic stature in America. But it was another group of Americans who really get credit for getting the statues of Christopher Columbus built. That would be the associations of Italian and Irish immigrants, who first started celebrating Columbus in local parades in the 1860s. And those same groups, over the next several decades, successfully made the case for state and even national holidays in honor of the explorer.

PETER: The Irish latched on to Columbus because, like them, he was a Catholic. The Italians focused more on his roots in their homeland. But both groups recognized in Columbus an opportunity to lay claim to America’s very first founding father. And in so doing, to overcome their status as second class citizens and prove that they too belonged in America.

BRIAN: But there were other immigrants in the late 19th century who weren’t so keen on the Italian navigator. One of them was a Norwegian American scholar named Rasmus Bjorn Anderson. In 1874, Anderson published a book called America Not Discovered By Columbus.

JOANNE MANCINI: It’s one of those books where you can tell the thesis from the title.

BRIAN: This is Joanne Mancini, a historian in Ireland who’s written about how Anderson set out to tell a new story about the beginning of America, a story that would appeal to East Coast elites threatened by the wave of Catholic immigration. Instead of beginning in 1492, Anderson’s story started with the Vikings in the late 900s. Not only had they made it to the New World, he argued, they had sailed into Massachusetts Bay itself. Hence the town of Woods Hole, allegedly named with the Viking word for hill. Hence the supposed Viking skeleton unearthed in Massachusetts a few decades earlier.

Anderson sent copies of his book to luminaries like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and President Rutherford B. Hayes. And Joanne Mancini says it caught on.

JOANNE MANCINI: And after this point, there was a bit of another Viking craze where various people in New England really embraced the idea of Viking discovery. And so for example, there was a successful movement to have a statue of Leif Ericson in Boston, which was put up in 1887. And I think actually that there was a period where people found that every time they uncovered a rock and it had scratchings on it, that this had to be runic inscriptions.

BRIAN: [LAUGHS] And what was the appeal to those New Englanders? What about Anderson’s book might have been more attractive than the Columbus story as a founding story?

JOANNE MANCINI: Well, I mean there are a couple different things. And it depends on what perspective you take on it. But on the one hand, I think he was trying to appeal to certain understandings that the native born elite would have had about themselves.

So for example, he emphasized that these Norse settlers had institutions which were in a way, the predecessor institutions of American institutions. And so he emphasized that they were free men who assembled in what he called “open parliaments of the people”, referring to something which actually existed, which were these Scandinavian assemblies. And so he was appealing to their understanding of themselves politically.

But he was also appealing to the racial sensibilities of the day. He was suggesting that Americans of British descent were actually descended from the Northmen through the Norman conquest and through the Norse incursions into Britain. And he was also, I suppose, trying to establish to Americans that modern day Scandinavians were connected to this and that there was a link between the two peoples.

BRIAN: Right, so freedom loving people who passed that through their blood and through their cultural heritage.

JOANNE MANCINI: Very much. And through their religion as well. He was very careful to provide a contrast actually, between the Vikings and Columbus, whom he described as “subservient to inquisition.”

And he told a whole story about how this party of Vikings was led by Leif Ericson, the son of Erik the Red, and that one of the people who accompanied him was Leif’s brother, Thorvald Ericson. And so in Anderson’s book, he presents the story that Thorvald was killed by Indians in North America, crosses are erected on his grave, and that he sheds Christian blood. It’s a way for him to almost invert the history that people would have known, and indeed that people were still experiencing at the time about conquest, where most of the violence would have been perpetrated by Europeans against Indians.

And so in a way, he has this alternative history of the discovery of America where the violence is going primarily in the other direction against Europeans. And it’s an interesting story to be telling the people. Because if you think about this period, a lot of people in New England were quite uncomfortable with many of the trends in the West.

BRIAN: Right.

JOANNE MANCINI: And so Anderson was giving them this other story which says well, these people of free institutions and of the true race and Christianity come to America, they engage in battle with the Indians, the Indians win. And it’s a very different sort of take on things than the normal history that they would have had to confront. And it’s also a different story to the story of Columbus, where of course, there would’ve been a very strong tradition to emphasize what we would think of as the genocidal implications of the Colombian conquest.

BRIAN: If 19th century New Englanders were taken by this story as many were, how come it didn’t take off in the 20th century?

JOANNE MANCINI: Yeah, I think there are a couple of different dimensions of that. One is that in the 1920s, there is a successful push to have very strict restrictions on immigration. And so a lot of the dynamics which were pushing these kinds of distinctions between say, southern Europeans and northern Europeans, start to fade away because there are legal restrictions which are preventing many of these new populations from entering the country in large numbers. And so people become less preoccupied with that. And so the late 19th century search for alternative origins and the building up of an identity based on a very specific racial history becomes, I suppose, less of a feature of American racial politics as people become more focused on other issues regarding race.

BRIAN: Joanne Mancini is a historian at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. We’ll post a link to her article about America’s 19th century Viking enthusiasm at backstoryradio.org.

PETER: It’s time for another break. Coming up next, Columbus is asked to answer for his crimes to a room full of teenagers.

ED: You’re listening to BackStory. We’ll be back in a minute.

PETER: And I’m Peter Onuf. We’re talking today about Christopher Columbus and how his name has resonated throughout American history.

ED: We’re going to turn the clock back now to one of the first examples of Columbus’s name being invoked. In the 16th and 17th centuries, as people on both sides of the Atlantic debated what to call this new world, a variation on the explorer’s name often cropped up. Columbia. And though a different explorer– Amerigo Vespucci– ultimately got naming rights, the name Columbia did live on in a different guise.

PETER: During the Revolutionary War, a symbolic figure with that name emerged, eventually becoming as recognizable as Mickey Mouse is today. Part of the idea was to create a counter to England’s muse, Britannia.

ELLEN BERG: The first person who really made a very clearly human Columbia was Phillis Wheatley, who was a well known poet at the time of the Revolution.

PETER: This is historian Ellen Berg.

ELLEN BERG: And what was really striking about her is that she was a former slave. She’d come to America as a child and was enslaved. She was named after the slave ship she was brought on in 1761, The Phillis. And she lived with the Wheatleys in Boston originally, and was taught English by them, was taught to read and write, and became quite a well known poet in her time.

Where she really invents Columbia is in 1775. She writes a poem to George Washington, who was then the commander in chief of the Continental Army. And at that time, the two armies were at an impasse. And in a way, Phillis Wheatley is calling upon George Washington to action, and calling him to greatness. And she uses this goddess figure of Colombia for the first time that we really know of as a way of imploring him to lead the people on and create a great country.

PHILLIS WHEATLEY: To his excellency George Washington. Celestial choir enthroned in realms of light. Columbia’s scenes of glorious toils I write. While freedom’s cause her anxious breast alarms, she flashes dreadful in refulgent arms. See mother Earth–

ELLEN BERG: She sent the poem to him. And in fact a few months later– it took him a little while– but he wrote back to her and asked her to come visit him at his station so that he could thank her for this beautiful poem that she wrote.

PETER: Right, right.

ELLEN BERG: He then helped to get her poem into print.

PHILLIS WHEATLEY: Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side. Thy every action let the goddess guide. A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine. With gold unfading, Washington! Be thine.

PETER: After Washington helped publish Wheatley’s poem, Columbia began to show up in songs and newspaper cartoons. She helped give meaning to a nation in its infancy.

ELLEN BERG: In the early decades of Columbia, she is considered the genius of the place. Which is an old concept.

ELLEN BERG: But basically, she is the guiding force. She is this wise creature, this wise being who can lead the country. And I think that’s really important early on, because there’s some sense of a supernatural force who is helping us know what to do, where this country should be going.

So in the first few decades of use of Columbia, she is a bit removed from politics. She’s kind of off in a cave somewhere or up in the clouds in some beautiful place. And poets and some artists then use her to express their feelings about how the country’s going.

PETER: And the country looked to her throughout most of the 19th century. She was depicted weeping on Washington’s coffin. Presidential candidates were seen wooing her in the popular press. But soon, there was a new kid on the block.

ELLEN BERG: Ultimately, Uncle Sam really does supersede Columbia, but it takes quite a while for him to do that. He’s first identified as a symbol during the War of 1812. And I’d say it wasn’t for another 100 years or so that Uncle Sam really took her place or became more well known as a symbol. She’s use quite heavily alongside Uncle Sam during the Spanish-American War.

PETER: Are they depicted together sometimes?

ELLEN BERG: They are often–

PETER: Uncle Sam and Columbia?

ELLEN BERG: Yeah.

PETER: What an odd conjunction. It’s hard for me to imagine this classical woman in her flowing robes and this guy from Troy, New York with a beard.

ELLEN BERG: Yeah well, she’d had classical robes, but also a number of artists depicted her in more contemporary clothing. Depends on the time and the place.

But Uncle Sam and Columbia have an interesting relationship. It’s not always clear how they’re related to each other. Is he her uncle? That’s often one way he’s expressed. Sometimes it seems more of a domestic partnership or–

PETER: Ooh. There’s an erotic dimension to this then, you’re suggesting.

ELLEN BERG: Yeah, sometimes they are an old married couple with their children, the many states. So it’s a flexible relationship–

ELLEN BERG: That people can use as they see fit.

PETER: By the 20th century, with the federal government looming large, Columbia was on her way out. It was Uncle Sam’s turn to shine.

ELLEN BERG: Over time, Uncle Sam becomes more powerful with the rise of the federal government as a stronger and stronger power.

PETER: You might say that Columbia is the figure that embodies, almost literally, the nation. Whereas Uncle Sam is the more aggressive, assertive representation of the state.

ELLEN BERG: Yes.

PETER: And the balance between those two things, of course, has shifted over time. For the most part, Columbia has vanished from our memory. But Berg says she was so present through so much of our history that you can never erase her completely.

ELLEN BERG: Some people would argue that Columbia is right there in New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty originally would have been considered as the Statue of Columbia for many, many Americans. And they referred to the statue in that way.

And I think it’s just over time, as our knowledge of Columbia has fallen, what remains is the statute who we know is the goddess of liberty. And the statue has become the stronger figure. So in a way, we can say that Columbia is still there, we’re just not really aware of it.

PETER: Ellen Berg is working on a book tracing the history of the goddess Columbia.

BRIAN: For the final part of our Columbus Day show, we’re going to turn to the place where a lot of people first hear the name of the great explorer, the school classroom.

JULIAN HIPKINS: Columbus is going to start. So Columbus is up front. The jury’s in the back.

ED: Now what you’re hearing is a bunch of 11th graders getting ready to do a little more than just read about the story of Columbus. Desks are set up in a long rectangle. At one end, a jury. At the other, a sort of a witness stand. The students here are about to put Christopher Columbus on trial.

JULIAN HIPKINS: The first two minutes roughly will be your time to say why you are innocent and who is guilty. And then the jury will be able to ask questions.

ED: This is Julian Hipkins. He’s a history teacher at Capital City Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., which serves mostly black and Latino students. The trial he’s organized is based around Columbus’s voyages. It’s a sort of who done it. The class has to figure out who is most responsible for the decimation of the Caribbean Taino Indian population.

And it’s not just Columbus on trial . It’s also his men, the king and queen of Spain, and the entire system of colonialism itself. Even the Tainos are on trial for not fighting back.

JULIAN HIPKINS: So jury, as you’re going along, start thinking about percentage guilt. All right, Columbus, let’s go. Begin.

ED: Members of the jury question Columbus and several of the students who make up his council. And while speaking, they wave around incriminating documents like excerpts from Columbus’s journal.

MALE STUDENT: You ordered your man to chop off their hands if they didn’t come up with the amount of gold in three months. You also ordered your men to spread terror among the Tainos. What do you have to say about that?

ED: A very defensive Christopher Columbus says he gave those orders in response to violence instigated by the Tainos.

STUDENT AS CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: Sir, it was after they killed 39 of my men!

ED: Once the defendant steps down, his men are grilled.

FEMALE STUDENT: You were never given orders by Columbus to rape woman specifically, or to set dogs on children, so why did you do all of that as well?

ED: But they just pin it back on their boss.

STUDENT AS CREW MEMBER: We might have done those things. But in a way, we need a good loyal leader to lead us. And in a way, he just unleashed us into this land and we just misbehaved, which was on our part. But at the same time, we need guidance.

ED: The arguments ping pong back and forth. Students representing the system and then the Tainos take turns defending themselves . When Queen Isabella takes the stand, she says that it was all supposed to be a straight business operation.

STUDENT AS QUEEN ISABELLA: We gave him money for a voyage, for spices and gold. We didn’t give it for him to shed blood and kill all those people.

ED: The teacher, Julian Hipkins, says this way of teaching about Christopher Columbus forces students to think critically.

JULIAN HIPKINS: The thing I like with the trial is that it’s not so black and white where this person was responsible and this person wasn’t responsible. It’s much more complicated than that. You can have a lot of people responsible for one act in some way, shape, or form.

ED: And 16 year-old Destiny, who played Queen Isabella, says this story of Columbus is very different than the history she learned in elementary school.

DESTINY: It was like he had three ships. The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria and stuff. And he went on a couple of voyages.

And I knew there was a little song. It was some type of song they sang. I mean, I didn’t really know much about him.

ED: Finally, the verdict is read. Though nearly every defendant has pointed the finger back at Columbus, he doesn’t get most of the blame. It’s actually pretty evenly spread around.

CHRISTIAN: Columbus himself, 25%. Columbus’s men, 20%. King and queen, 30%. Tainos, 10%. And the system, 15%.

ED: Christian, the student who read the verdict, stresses that history wasn’t the only thing that went into those numbers.

CHRISTIAN: We tried our best to decide our ruling based on what the groups gave to us. Not based on our background knowledge, but what was presented to us. And because of that, some of the groups’ arguments weren’t really strong. So it didn’t help them very much to prove that they weren’t guilty.

ED: So Brian and Peter, I think it’s important to realize that this exercise we just heard is an exercise that’s used in lots of classrooms. And it was inspired by Howard Zinn’s bestselling book from 1980, A People’s History of the United States. In that book, he says we need to focus on the injustices of the American past, rather than just its great men.

So what do you guys think? Should we be teaching history by doling out blame for the darkest moments in our past?

BRIAN: This is, I think, a creative, and in my opinion, effective way to get a bunch of high school students engaged with material that’s got to be pretty distant to them on the surface. How do you get high school students all excited? Well, ask them to make some judgments about people.

PETER: Brian, I think you’re right about the excitement of in effect, having history, you make the decisions about what history is. And that is empowering. That is engaging.

But it reminds me of something that we do as historians, and have always done, and that we need to reflect on a little bit. And that is this revisionist impulse, which is the beginning of good history. That’s the idea. What do we think we know, and let’s challenge it.

Now revisionism goes way back in American historiography and I think the word is used in the 1960s. But by 1980, when Howard Zinn wrote The People’s History of the United States, this is in effect a summa, a big statement of revisionism. And rather than framing the question who made America, the question is what bad things happened to the people who are the real Americans?

So it switches the terms from nation making to the costs of nation making. Because at the end of the day, it’s the people who are the nation. So that’s a flip of perspective that I think’s really important. And I think it raises fundamental questions about what we do and how we think about somebody like Christopher Columbus.

ED: I have written that I want revisionist history the same way I want revisionist surgery. [LAUGHTER] I want people to be using the latest technology, the latest ideas that they have.

PETER: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

ED: And so Peter, revisionism actually begins in the 1930s for the Civil War as when it’s called.

PETER: Uh huh, right.

ED: And this seems so strange to us. The original revisionism was the Civil War was a remarkable waste of life because the condition of African Americans is still so bad.

PETER: Yes, yes.

ED: And so then it comes back in the ’60s. It does what historians really like to do, which is to think about where did we go wrong? Where did things change?

Here what I worry about, Brian, and go back to your endorsement of it, is how do we then move beyond vicarious judgment into a sense of vicarious participation? That we are all implicated in these systems.

And I think the kids in this story recognize this! They say it’s the king and queen. It’s the system, they call it. And they’re refusing to say it was just Christopher Columbus and his flawed character or whatever. They’re saying hey, we’re all implicated in this system.

BRIAN: Yeah, they even attributed a little bit of blame to the Indians.

ED: Right, right. So maybe the kids are smarter than we are?

PETER: Well, I think the great value of this exercise in judgment and revisionism is that it exposes the implicit and unexamined assumptions of moral goodness in the conventional narrative, the celebratory narrative.

ED: Right, right. That’s great.

PETER: I mean, it is a moral story, a story with a moral. That is the way we’ve been taught about those three ships and the founding of America. What a great thing that obviously was. And I think if we recognize that this highly judgmental attack on the conventional story about Christopher Columbus makes us think about how Columbus has been justified and how he functions in our national mythology, then maybe we can rise above simplistic moralizing to a more complex engagement with multiple narratives.

BRIAN: Yeah, I would just add to that, Peter. Although the assigning percentages is a little bit gimmicky–

PETER: It doesn’t happen in court. [LAUGHS]

BRIAN: So even though it’s a little bit gimmicky, I do think it’s a nice way to invite the students, and in fact, students of history, to think about the way different actors in history really connect with each other. Because often, they were acutely aware of many of the other actors involved in the story.

PETER: I think it’s important to remember too that Columbus was a national hero pretty recently into the 20th century. A hero for Italians, a hero for Roman Catholics, a hero for all Americans when he was incorporated in the national myth as we’ve heard in this program today.

It’s useful to get back to the empirical questions and ask well, what did happen? And then to assess this and also to assess the way we’ve made judgments over the centuries. There’s a lot at stake in this.

And it doesn’t really matter whether Christopher Columbus was a good guy or a bad guy. What matters is the way we think about the story we tell about ourselves. And it’s a story that is constantly in revision. And it’s because we’re constantly asking ourselves that question, who are we? Where are we going?

BRIAN: And that is where we’re going to leave things for today. But as always, there’s plenty more for you to explore online. Pay us a visit at backstoryradio.org to see the articles and books that shaped today’s show. You can also find all of our past shows there, along with a link to our free podcast.

PETER: Once again, that’s at backstoryradio.org. We’re also on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Don’t be a stranger.

ED: Today’s episode of BackStory was produced by Jess Engebretson, Nina Earnest, Andrew Parsons, and Tony Field. Emily Charnock is our research and web coordinator, and Jamal Millner is our engineer. BackStory’s executive producer is Andrew Wyndham.

BRIAN: Special thanks to Francis Smith, Sharon Millner, Jason Slotkin, and the students at Capital City Public Charter School. Major support for BackStory is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, the University of Virginia, Weinstein Properties, an anonymous donor, and the History Channel. History made every day.

ANNOUNCER: Brian Balogh is professor of history at the University of Virginia. Peter Onuf is professor of history emeritus at UVA and senior research fellow at Monticello. Ed Ayers is president and professor of history at the University of Richmond. BackStory was created by Andrew Wyndham for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

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The journal of Christopher Columbus (during his first voyage, 1492-93) and documents relating the voyages of John Cabot and Gaspar Corte Real

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Discovering the Year of Christopher Columbus’ Voyage Across the Ocean Blue

Alex Morgan

Christopher Columbus, a renowned explorer, is often credited with the discovery of the Americas and his expeditions paved the way for European exploration and colonization of the New World. In this article, we will delve into the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus , exploring the significant impact of his journeys.

Let’s begin with an introduction to Christopher Columbus , followed by an examination of his voyages, including the first voyage in 1492 , the second in 1493 , the third in 1498 , and the fourth in 1502 . We will then address the key question: When did Christopher Columbus sail the ocean blue? We will explore the significance of Christopher Columbus’s voyages , including their impact on European exploration, the encounter with the Americas, and the controversies surrounding his legacy.

Key takeaway:

• Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492: Columbus embarked on his first voyage in 1492, which eventually led to the discovery of the Americas.
• Impact of Columbus’ voyages on European exploration: Columbus’ voyages played a crucial role in initiating European exploration and opening up new trade routes.
• Controversies surrounding Christopher Columbus: Columbus’ actions and treatment of indigenous populations have sparked debates and controversies regarding his legacy and the effects of colonization.

Who Was Christopher Columbus?

Christopher Columbus , who was Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, discovered America in 1492. He was born in Genoa, Italy , and set sail to find a new trade route to Asia.

Christopher Columbus received funding from Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain. Despite challenges like a shortage of supplies and mutiny, Christopher Columbus persevered and reached the Bahamas, believing it was the East Indies.

Although Christopher Columbus never set foot on the North American mainland, Christopher Columbus’s discovery paved the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Christopher Columbus went on four voyages to the Caribbean and South America.

Christopher Columbus’s expeditions had a significant impact on world history, initiating the era of European exploration and leading to the establishment of European colonies in America. Today, Christopher Columbus is both celebrated and criticized for shaping the modern world.

Christopher Columbus’s Voyages

Christopher Columbus’s Voyages take us on a thrilling journey through history, discovery, and adventure. Brace yourself for tales of exploration as we delve into his remarkable expeditions. From his groundbreaking First Voyage in 1492 to the dramatic Fourth Voyage in 1502, each sub-section promises to unveil fascinating events and encounters that shaped the course of human history. Get ready to set sail alongside the legendary Christopher Columbus and witness the wonders he discovered on the vast ocean blue.

First Voyage: 1492

Christopher Columbus’s first voyage in 1492 marked a significant moment in history. Columbus set sail with three small ships – the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña – to find a western route to Asia. He was sponsored by Spain’s Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.

Leaving from the port of Palos in Spain, Columbus and his crew faced challenges as they sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. After weeks of sailing, they finally spotted land on October 12, 1492. It was an island in present-day Bahamas, which they named San Salvador.

During this first voyage in 1492, Columbus also explored other islands in the Caribbean, such as Cuba and Hispaniola. He made contact with the indigenous people of these lands, establishing initial contact between the Old World and the New World.

Second Voyage: 1493

During Christopher Columbus’s second voyage in 1493, he embarked on a journey with a fleet of seventeen ships. This expedition followed his initial exploration of the Americas the previous year. Columbus set sail from Cádiz, Spain, with the aim of establishing a permanent Spanish presence in the recently discovered lands.

On this subsequent voyage, Columbus ventured to various Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and Jamaica . He also revisited Hispaniola , where he founded a settlement called Isabella . During his exploration of these islands, Columbus encountered the indigenous Taíno people and imposed Spanish rule over them.

Alongside the exploration, the second voyage was driven by Columbus’s pursuit of treasures believed to exist in the region. Nonetheless, he encountered numerous challenges, ranging from shipwrecks to harsh weather conditions and conflicts with native populations. Despite these difficulties, Columbus successfully returned to Spain in 1496, having accomplished his mission of further exploration.

Christopher Columbus’s second voyage in 1493 expanded geographical knowledge and European influence in the Americas. This voyage paved the way for subsequent expeditions and eventual colonization of the region. It is crucial to acknowledge that Columbus’s voyages had significant repercussions, both positive and negative, for the indigenous populations, sparking ongoing debates and controversies.

Third Voyage: 1498

During his third voyage in 1498, Christopher Columbus embarked on a journey from Spain with a fleet of six ships and around 200 men. His main objective was to discover a route to the Indian Ocean and explore the lands he had previously encountered. Columbus eventually arrived at the South American coast, near the mouth of the Orinoco River , and mistakenly believed that he had reached Asia . Continuing his exploration, he ventured along the shoreline of present-day Venezuela , Trinidad , and Tobago before eventually returning to Spain .

This expedition served to confirm Columbus’s conviction that he had indeed reached Asia , while also representing the first instance of Europeans making contact with mainland South America . Throughout the voyage, Columbus gathered valuable information about the newly discovered lands, including various plant and animal species, as well as interactions with the indigenous inhabitants. Unfortunately, the journey was not without its challenges, as tensions among the crew and conflicts with the native people posed significant obstacles.

Fourth Voyage: 1502

During Christopher Columbus’s fourth voyage in 1502, he encountered a series of challenges and setbacks. The primary objective of this voyage was to locate a sea route to the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, Columbus faced unfavorable conditions and navigational difficulties along the way. He embarked on a journey along the Central American coast , meticulously exploring present-day Honduras , Panama , and Costa Rica .

One particularly significant event that unfolded during this expedition was the encounter with violent storms . These tempests caused extensive damage to Columbus’s fleet, leaving him with no choice but to seek refuge in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica . Stranded on the island for over a year, Columbus and his crew had to endure intense hunger and numerous hardships. Luckily, they were ultimately rescued by Spanish ships dispatched by Columbus’s patrons.

In spite of all the obstacles encountered, the fourth voyage of Columbus was not devoid of accomplishments. He successfully explored and mapped out new territories, thus expanding European knowledge of the Americas. Columbus stumbled upon various islands and had encounters with indigenous peoples in the Caribbean .

When Did Christopher Columbus Sail the Ocean Blue?

Curious about when Christopher Columbus embarked on his journey across the ocean? Delve into the historical events of his voyage and get ready to unravel the impact it had on European exploration , the incredible encounter with the Americas , and the controversies that surround Christopher Columbus . Prepare to navigate through fascinating facts and figures that shed light on this pivotal moment in history.

Significance of Christopher Columbus’s Voyages

Christopher Columbus’s voyages hold great significance in history. We will unravel the impact they had on European exploration, delve into the significant encounter with the Americas, and explore the controversies surrounding Christopher Columbus . Brace yourself for a journey through history that shaped the course of continents and ignited debates that continue to this day.

Impact on European Exploration

Christopher Columbus’s voyages had a profound impact on European exploration. Primarily, his voyages served as a gateway to new trade routes and the expansion of known territories. Consequently, this led to a significant increase in European presence and influence in the Americas. As a result, opportunities for colonization, trade, and the acquisition of resources emerged.

Furthermore, Columbus’s voyages ignited a wave of exploration and discovery among other European nations , as they competed with Spain for wealth and power in the New World. This fierce rivalry ultimately led to the exploration and colonization of various regions, including North and South America, Africa, and Asia.

In addition, Columbus’s voyages culturally influenced the Columbian Exchange , which facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the Old World and the New World . The consequences of this exchange were far-reaching, as it introduced new crops, animals, and diseases to both continents.

It is a well-established fact that Columbus’s voyages sparked intense exploration and colonization by European powers, ultimately resulting in the establishment of colonies and empires worldwide.

Encounter with the Americas

Christopher Columbus’s encounter with the Americas in 1492 marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization in the region. During his first voyage, Columbus landed on the islands of the Caribbean, including present-day Bahamas and Hispaniola. This encounter with the Americas opened up new trade routes and sparked the interest of other European powers in exploring and claiming territories.

The impact of Columbus’s encounter with the Americas was significant. It led to the exploration and colonization of the region by European powers. It also resulted in the exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the Old World and the New World.

However, Columbus’s voyages and the subsequent colonization gave rise to controversies. Concerns and debates surround the treatment of indigenous peoples, the transatlantic slave trade, and the negative consequences on native cultures.

Pro-tip: When studying historical events, it is important to consider different perspectives and understand their broader implications on the world.

Controversies Surrounding Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus’s voyages were marked by various controversies. One significant controversy revolves around the detrimental impact on indigenous populations. Millions of Native Americans perished due to European colonization, which included the introduction of diseases by Columbus and his crew. Columbus and subsequent European settlers subjected indigenous people to forced labor and slavery, further intensifying the controversy.

Another controversy stems from the ill treatment of indigenous people . Columbus and his men resorted to violence, committing acts such as murder and rape against the indigenous populations they encountered. These actions have faced widespread criticism as adverse consequences of colonization.

The observance of Columbus Day also sparks controversy. Although it is celebrated as a national holiday in the United States to commemorate Columbus’s “ discovery ” of the Americas, there is a growing recognition of its negative impact on indigenous populations. Many argue that celebrating Columbus Day disregards the history of violence and oppression endured by indigenous communities.

Columbus Day

Discover the captivating world of Columbus Day! Dive into the rich history and observance surrounding this celebrated event. From the origins of Christopher Columbus’s remarkable journey to the vibrant traditions that have evolved throughout the years, prepare to be immersed in an exploration of cultural heritage. We’ll also uncover the catchy Columbus Day song, adding a melodic touch to the festivities. Get ready to sail through a riveting encounter with Columbus Day like never before!

History and Observance

Columbus Day , also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in some places, has a long history and is observed on the second Monday of October each year. It commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival to the Americas in 1492 and is celebrated in various countries, primarily in the Americas. This holiday serves as a reminder of Columbus’s journey and its impact on the New World.

The history of Columbus Day dates back to the late 18th century when it was first celebrated in the United States. It became an official federal holiday in 1937, honoring Columbus’s achievements and the Italian-American heritage. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead, highlighting the importance of Native American cultures and the adverse effects of colonization.

The observance of Columbus Day varies from country to country and within different regions of the same country. In some places, it is marked with parades, concerts, and other festivities, while in others, it is a more solemn occasion focused on the history and impact of Columbus’s voyages. Educational programs and discussions may take place to raise awareness of colonialism and its consequences.

Columbus Day Song

Here are some popular Columbus Day songs to celebrate the holiday:

• “1492” by Mary Chapin Carpenter
• “Columbus Day” by Danny Weinkauf
• “In 1492” by Tyrone Wells
• “Sailing the Ocean Blue” by Bongos
• “Columbus Was His Name, Oh!” traditional children’s song

These Columbus Day songs honor Christopher Columbus and teach about his voyages in a fun and engaging way.

As you celebrate Columbus Day, consider playing these Columbus Day songs or singing them with family and friends. They can add a festive and educational aspect to your holiday festivities.

References and Further Reading

• Christopher Columbus: The Life and Voyages by Samuel Eliot Morison is a comprehensive biography that provides detailed information about Columbus’s journeys across the Atlantic.
• The Log of Christopher Columbus’s First Voyage by Christopher Columbus is a primary source document that offers insights into Columbus’s experiences and observations during his voyage.
• The Four Voyages: Being His Own Log-Book, Letters and Dispatches with Connecting Narratives by Christopher Columbus is another primary source collection that chronicles Columbus’s four voyages to the Americas.
• Columbus: The Four Voyages by Laurence Bergreen delves into the complexities of Columbus’s expeditions and their impact on world history.
• The Diario of Christopher Columbus’s First Voyage to America, 1492-1493 edited by Oliver Dunn and James E. Kelley is a translation of Columbus’s original journal, offering an intimate look at his thoughts and experiences during the first voyage.

These resources provide valuable insights into the life, voyages, and thoughts of Christopher Columbus . Whether you are a history enthusiast or conducting research, these books and primary source documents offer a wealth of information for further reading and exploration into the world of Christopher Columbus .

Some Well-Known Facts About “What Year Did Christopher Columbus Sail The Ocean Blue”:

• ✅ Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in the year 1492. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Columbus embarked on his famous voyage on August 3, 1492. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Columbus sailed from Palos in southern Spain with three ships: the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Queen Isabella supported Columbus’ expedition after he made an intriguing proposal to her. (Source: Our Team)
• ✅ Columbus documented his journey through his journal entries and wrote a letter detailing his experiences and discoveries. (Source: Our Team)

Frequently Asked Questions

What year did christopher columbus sail the ocean blue.

Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492.

What were the three ships that Columbus traveled with?

The three ships that Columbus traveled with were the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

Who funded Columbus’s expedition to the Americas?

Columbus’s expedition to the Americas was funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.

When did Columbus Day become a federal holiday?

Columbus Day became a federal holiday in April 1937.

Why is Columbus Day observed on the second Monday in October?

Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October to provide a long weekend for people to celebrate the holiday.

Did Columbus believe that the Earth was flat?

No, despite popular belief, Columbus did not believe that the Earth was flat. He had knowledge of the Earth’s shape, but underestimated its size.

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The Third Voyage of Christopher Columbus

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• History Before Columbus
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• Caribbean History
• Central American History
• South American History
• Mexican History
• American History
• African American History
• African History
• Ancient History and Culture
• Asian History
• European History
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• Ph.D., Spanish, Ohio State University
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After his famous 1492 voyage of discovery , Christopher Columbus was commissioned to return a second time, which he did with a large-scale colonization effort which departed from Spain in 1493. Although the second journey had many problems, it was considered successful because a settlement was founded: it would eventually become Santo Domingo , capital of the present-day Dominican Republic. Columbus served as governor during his stay in the islands. The settlement needed supplies, however, so Columbus returned to Spain in 1496.

Preparations for the Third Voyage

Columbus reported to the crown upon his return from the New World. He was dismayed to learn that his patrons, Ferdinand and Isabella , would not allow enslaved people from the newly discovered lands to be used as payment. As he had found little gold or precious commodities for which to trade, he had been counting on selling enslaved people to make his voyages lucrative. The King and Queen of Spain allowed Columbus to organize a third trip to the New World with the goal of resupplying the colonists and continuing the search for a new trade route to the Orient.

The Fleet Splits

Upon departure from Spain in May of 1498, Columbus split his fleet of six ships: three would make for Hispaniola immediately to bring desperately needed supplies, while the other three would aim for points south of the already explored Caribbean to search for more land and perhaps even the route to the Orient that Columbus still believed to be there. Columbus himself captained the latter ships, being at heart an explorer and not a governor.

Doldrums and Trinidad

Columbus’ bad luck on the third voyage began almost immediately. After making slow progress from Spain, his fleet hit the doldrums, which is a calm, hot stretch of ocean with little or no wind. Columbus and his men spent several days battling heat and thirst with no wind to propel their ships. After a while, the wind returned and they were able to continue. Columbus veered to the north, because the ships were low on water and he wanted to resupply in the familiar Caribbean. On July 31, they sighted an island, which Columbus named Trinidad. They were able to resupply there and continue exploring.

Sighting South America

For the first two weeks of August 1498, Columbus and his small fleet explored the Gulf of Paria, which separates Trinidad from mainland South America. In the process of this exploration, they discovered the Island of Margarita as well as several smaller islands. They also discovered the mouth of the Orinoco River. Such a mighty freshwater river could only be found on a continent, not an island, and the increasingly religious Columbus concluded that he had found the site of the Garden of Eden. Columbus fell ill around this time and ordered the fleet to head to Hispaniola, which they reached on August 19.

Back in Hispaniola

In the roughly two years since Columbus had been gone, the settlement on Hispaniola had seen some rough times. Supplies and tempers were short and the vast wealth that Columbus had promised settlers while arranging the second voyage had failed to appear. Columbus had been a poor governor during his brief tenure (1494–1496) and the colonists were not happy to see him. The settlers complained bitterly, and Columbus had to hang a few of them in order to stabilize the situation. Realizing that he needed help governing the unruly and hungry settlers, Columbus sent to Spain for assistance. It was also here where Antonio de Montesinos is remembered to have given an impassioned and impactful sermon.

Francisco de Bobadilla

Responding to rumors of strife and poor governance on the part of Columbus and his brothers, the Spanish crown sent Francisco de Bobadilla to Hispaniola in 1500. Bobadilla was a nobleman and a knight of the Calatrava order, and he was given broad powers by the Spanish crown, superseding those of Colombus. The crown needed to rein in the unpredictable Colombus and his brothers, who in addition to being tyrannical governors were also suspected of improperly gathering wealth. In 2005, a document was found in the Spanish archives: it contains first-hand accounts of the abuses of Columbus and his brothers.

Columbus Imprisoned

Bobadilla arrived in August 1500, with 500 men and a handful of native people that Columbus had brought to Spain on a previous voyage to enslave; they were to be freed by royal decree. Bobadilla found the situation as bad as he had heard. Columbus and Bobadilla clashed: because there was little love for Columbus among the settlers, Bobadilla was able to clap him and his brothers in chains and throw them in a dungeon. In October 1500, the three Columbus brothers were sent back to Spain, still in shackles. From getting stuck in the doldrums to being shipped back to Spain as a prisoner, Columbus’ Third Voyage was a fiasco.

Aftermath and Importance

Back in Spain, Columbus was able to talk his way out of trouble: he and his brothers were freed after spending only a few weeks in prison.

After the first voyage, Columbus had been granted a series of important titles and concessions. He was appointed Governor and Viceroy of the newly discovered lands and was given the title of Admiral, which would pass to his heirs. By 1500, the Spanish crown was beginning to regret this decision, as Columbus had proven to be a very poor governor and the lands he had discovered had the potential to be extremely lucrative. If the terms of his original contract were honored, the Columbus family would eventually siphon off a great deal of wealth from the crown.

Although he was freed from prison and most of his lands and wealth were restored, this incident gave the crown the excuse they needed to strip Columbus of some of the costly concessions that they had originally agreed to. Gone were the positions of Governor and Viceroy and the profits were reduced as well. Columbus’ children later fought for the privileges conceded to Columbus with mixed success, and legal wrangling between the Spanish crown and the Columbus family over these rights would continue for some time. Columbus’ son Diego would eventually serve for a time as Governor of Hispaniola due to the terms of these agreements.

The disaster that was the third voyage essentially brought to a close the Columbus Era in the New World. While other explorers, such as Amerigo Vespucci , believed that Columbus had found previously unknown lands, he stubbornly held to the claim that he had found the eastern edge of Asia and that he would soon find the markets of India, China, and Japan. Although many at court believed Columbus to be mad, he was able to put together a fourth voyage , which if anything was a bigger disaster than the third one.

The fall of Columbus and his family in the New World created a power vacuum, and the King and Queen of Spain quickly filled it with Nicolás de Ovando, a Spanish nobleman who was appointed governor. Ovando was a cruel but effective governor who ruthlessly wiped out native settlements and continued the exploration of the New World, setting the stage for the Age of Conquest.

Herring, Hubert. A History of Latin America From the Beginnings to the Present. . New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1962

Thomas, Hugh. Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan. New York: Random House, 2005.

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