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| Christopher Columbus |
According to The History Channel, the original purpose of the mission of Columbus is seeking new sources of wealth in China, India, and other islands in Asia, including Indonesia, known as spice. The mission is sponsored by the Spanish authorities, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
Born in the city of Genoa, Italy, in 1451, the young Columbus worked as a seaman and eventually as a maritime entrepreneur. He later spearheaded obsessed cruise through the western route towards Cathay (China), India, and other Asian islands.
At that time, the Europeans do not know the direct sea route to Asia south. The Ottoman Turks then closed the route through Egypt and the Red Sea to the European kingdoms. That's what makes the ambitious European sailors find alternative pathways into new territories.
In addition, most of the educated as Columbus did not believe in the common view that the Earth was flat, as popularized St. Isidore in the seventh century. However, Columbus and other intellectuals still think that East Asia is located in what is now North America, as they are currently not yet know that there is a vast sea of other, now known as the Pacific Ocean.
Proposal Columbus to find a "New World" was rejected by the King of Portugal, John II. He then moved to Spain and a similar proposal to the King and Queen Isabella Ferdinanda. At first, he was rejected. However, after hearing the news of the Spanish forces conquer the Moorish kingdom of Granada in January 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella finally willing to sponsor a voyage Columbus.
On August 3, 1492, Columbus and his men off the anchor of Palos, Spain, to capitalize three ships, the Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina. More than two months later they finally arrived at the island, which was named the Bahamas.
During his lifetime, Columbus led four expeditions to the New World. They found the areas now called the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Central and South America. However, he never managed to fulfill the original purpose, which reached Asia.
Died in 1506, Columbus is known as a pioneer of the New World penjelahan. The other explorers from Europe finally getting excited about looking for other areas in the "New World" pioneered Columbus.