Christopher Columbus (Junior Cert History): Revision Notes

Christopher Columbus

• Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in the busy Italian port of Genoa.
• From an early age, he was greatly interested in ships and travel, inspired by famous explorers such as Marco Polo.
• Columbus believed that the world was round and unlike the Portuguese, who were sailing east in their quest for India, he believed that Asia could be reached by travelling west.
• He persuaded King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance his expedition as they hoped to become extremely wealthy from the discovery of a sea route to the spices, silks, and gold of Asia.

• In his first voyage for India, Columbus unknowingly became the first European to have reached the Americas.
  • On 3 August 1492, Columbus left the port of Palos, in Southern Spain with ninety men in three caravels - the Santa Maria, the Niῆa and the Pinta.
  • The ships sailed first to the Canary Islands where they got supplies and then set out into the unknown Atlantic Ocean.
  • Many of the crew became so afraid of the unknown that they threatened to mutiny!
  • Finally, after seventy days journeying land was spotted.
  • On 12 October the relieved crew landed on an island they called San Salvador (Holy Saviour).

• They had reached the Caribbean, but Columbus believed that he had reached India. They explored Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.
• Columbus thought they were in India and referred to the people as 'Indians.'
• Columbus found no spices and very little gold. However, when he returned home he was treated as a hero.

• He was granted titles such as 'Admiral of the Ocean' and 'Governor of the New-found Lands'.

• He brought home six 'Indian' slaves, a variety of parrots, and a little gold.

• His voyage was of major importance because, although unknown to himself, he was the first European known to have reached the Americas.

  
  • At home, Columbus was given more money for further voyages.
  • Columbus made four voyages in all and reached the northern coast of South America.
  • But he found no silk or spices and people soon realised he had not reached Asia at all.
  • Columbus was further disappointed when he found himself in trouble with the Queen for his extremely cruel treatment of the Native people of the Americas.
  • He died aged 55, (1506) in Valladolid, Spain, a disappointed and bitter man.