What Drives Christopher Columbus- The Quest for the Unknown and the Discovery of the New World
What did Christopher Columbus want to discover? This question has intrigued historians and scholars for centuries. As a Genoese navigator and explorer, Columbus embarked on his famous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 with the ambitious goal of finding a new route to Asia. However, his journey inadvertently led to the discovery of the Americas, a discovery that would change the course of history.
Columbus’s primary objective was to find a shorter, western route to Asia, bypassing the Ottoman Empire and the Middle East. At the time, the established trade routes to Asia were controlled by the Muslims, who imposed heavy taxes on goods traveling through their territories. This situation posed a significant obstacle for European merchants, who were eager to find an alternative path to reach the lucrative markets of Asia.
To achieve this goal, Columbus sought the support of the Spanish monarchy. He presented his plan to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, emphasizing the vast wealth and resources that awaited discovery in the East. He argued that by reaching Asia via the West, Spain could establish direct trade relations with the Asian countries, thereby enriching the kingdom and diminishing the power of the Muslims.
Columbus’s plan was based on the belief that the Earth was round and that Asia lay to the west of Europe. This idea was not entirely new, as it had been proposed by ancient Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Ptolemy. However, Columbus’s calculations regarding the Earth’s circumference were inaccurate, leading him to believe that the journey to Asia would be shorter than it actually was.
Despite the risks involved, Columbus convinced the Spanish monarchy to finance his expedition. With three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña, he set sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain, on August 3, 1492. His crew consisted of approximately 90 men, including sailors, soldiers, and explorers.
After a long and perilous journey, Columbus and his crew landed on an island in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. They believed they had reached the eastern coast of Asia, but in reality, they had discovered the Americas. This accidental discovery marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the New World.
In conclusion, Christopher Columbus set out to discover a new route to Asia, but his journey inadvertently led to the discovery of the Americas. His ambitious goal of finding a shorter, western route to Asia was driven by economic and political motives, but his discovery would have far-reaching consequences for the world. The question of what Christopher Columbus wanted to discover remains a fascinating topic of historical inquiry, as it highlights the complex interplay of exploration, ambition, and chance in shaping the course of history.
