Genoa in the 14th Century: A powerful marine republic with ships in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Cristoforo Colombo (Christopher Columbus): A young wool weaver's son from Genoa who went to sea at age 10 and became a ship captain by age 20.
Early Life and Career
1461: Columbus first goes to sea.
1477: Moves to Lisbon, marries, and studies sea charts, geometry, and cartography.
1481: Pilots a fleet to Guinea.
The Closure of the Silk Road
Impact of the Ottoman Empire: Closed the Silk Road, making trade with the East difficult.
Search for Alternative Routes: Europeans sought new ways to reach China and the Indies.
Columbus's Proposal
1484: Columbus presents his proposal to King John II of Portugal, but it is rejected.
Spain's Interest: Queen Isabella shows interest after hearing of Bartholomew Diaz's attempt to reach India.
1492: Columbus is granted support by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.
The First Voyage
Ships & Crew: Columbus was supplied with three ships—the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María—and assembled a diverse crew.
Departure: Set sail on August 3, 1492.
Navigational Challenges: Used the North Star and an astrolabe for navigation.
Discovery of the New World
October 11, 1492: Land sighted, believed to be the Indies, but was actually the Bahamas.
Interaction with Indigenous Peoples: Met the Taino, Lucayan, and Arawak tribes.
Columbus's Misunderstanding: Did not realize he landed on a new continent.
Return to Spain
Riches and Reports: Returned with spices, gold, and some natives, but ultimately faced disappointment for not discovering a new trade route or substantial riches.
Later Expeditions
1498: Reaches the South American mainland.
Realization: Discovers a new continent, but still believes a passage to India is possible.
Final Attempts: Reaches Panama but forced to return to Spain without achieving the goal.
Legacy
Controversy: Columbus is credited with opening the Americas to the West, but his legacy is mired in controversy due to the impact on indigenous populations.
Impact: His voyages had long-lasting, far-reaching effects on world history.
Conclusion
Columbus's explorations are pivotal yet controversial, marking significant historical events with complex legacies.