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Essay on The Voyage Of Christopher Columbus

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American History I Christopher Columbus' Voyage to North America Spanish exploration first began with a series of revolutions. First, the Commercial Revolution generated economic stability. Second, the Intellectual Revolution generated interest in the Earth's composition and the pursuit of exploration. Europe then called for a political revolution to end the disorganized and disorderly rule of its government. This revolution returned order and stability to the government and renewed interest in exploration to search for national wealth. The last of these revolutions was the religious revolution (note Columbus' voyage occurred before this revolution). As more people broke away from the national religion they searched for a place …show more content…

It was on this voyage that "he learned how to sail, manage a boat, estimate distances, and other elements of seamanship" (29) 1. In 1476, Columbus found his way to Portugal after his ship was burned during the wars between the Mediterranean states. Columbus arrived shortly after the death of Prince Henry the Navigator who had set up his headquarters in Cape St. Vincent in addition to a school for maritime discovery. In 1477, Columbus set out as a sailor on a trade ship towards Ireland and Iceland. The next year, a Lisbon merchant sent Columbus out on a sugar trade between Madeira and Genoa. This was an indication that Columbus "was rising in the world" (30) 1. Columbus then ventured into the chart-making business with his brother, Bartholomew. "He developed into a skilled mapmaker…became acquainted with the latest news about the world and its geography…" (30) 1. After the death of his wife, Columbus became very interested in the Portuguese trading post in a gold-mining area on the Gulf of Guinea (Ghana) on the west coast of Africa. Columbus further developed his skills as a seaman by observing his Portuguese shipmates that taught him "how to handle a ship in heavy winds, what kinds of stores to take on a long voyage, and how to trade with primitive people" (31) 1. Upon his return to Lisbon, Columbus was ready to explore the unknown Atlantic to obtain the wealth of the Indies. Certainly the idea of sailing west to reach the

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