1492 Columbus's voyage. Columbus's four expeditions or how Europeans began to colonize America? Stay in Spain
- one of the most mysterious personalities of the period of great travels and geographical discoveries. The life of every outstanding person is full of dark spots, mysteries, inexplicable actions and coincidences. This is easily explained by the fact that humanity begins to take an interest in the life of a great man only after his death, after about 100 - 150 years. When documents are lost, eyewitnesses are dead, and only gossip, speculation and secrets remain alive. And if the celebrity herself hides her origin all her life, the true motives of her actions, even her thoughts, everything becomes a thousand times more complicated. Such a person was the well-known Christopher Columbus.
Mystery one: origin
Until now, no one can indicate the exact date of birth of the great navigator. Even the year of birth - 1451 - does not have a strong enough basis. We only know for sure birthplace of Christopher Columbus- Republic of Genoa. Columbus's parents were the most ordinary city residents: his father was a weaver, his mother was a housewife. The question of the nationality of Columbus remains open. Researchers are considering several versions: Spanish, Italian, German, Slavic and Jewish. Exactly latest version seems most likely. It is known that the Columbuses were quite reserved; sometimes the whole family left for several days to an unknown destination. Diligently, even too diligently for Catholic Genoa, the family of the future navigator attended church, they regularly received communion and confession, and never missed a Sunday or holiday mass, as if fulfilling an important duty. The family had a special relationship with financiers from wealthy families of baptized Jews (Marranos). All of the above speaks in favor of the “Jewish” version. This assumption is confirmed by the fact that Columbus never wrote about his roots, although he left behind a solid literary archive. Since the 15th century was the height of the Inquisition in Europe, "un-Christian" could have a negative impact on his career. The family had to hide their history.
Secret two: education
According to the tradition of that time, the future traveler and discoverer received home education. Apparently, his teachers were wonderful. Young Columbus amazed his acquaintances with his knowledge of languages and broad outlook at the age of 14. It has been reliably established that he studied at the University of Padua. This is where questions arise: why would a weaver’s son gravitate towards the intellectual elite? And the cost of education and living was too much for the weaver-father, who had to feed three more children (Columbus had two brothers and a sister). However, if Christopher was supported by other relatives from the merchants, then everything looks very plausible. One thing is certain: Columbus was distinguished by outstanding abilities from childhood.
Mystery three: how did the idea of searching for India in the West come about?
As an educated person, Christopher Columbus could not help but know that the idea of the spherical shape of the Earth was expressed by very authoritative scientists back in antiquity. On the other hand, as a man of the 15th century, Columbus understood that public recognition of the truth of these assumptions is fraught with misunderstanding and mistrust of a society long accustomed to the idea that the Earth is flat as a pancake. In this situation, attempts to find sea route to the “land of spices”, going around Africa, look much more real and understandable. What prompted Christopher Columbus to the idea of looking in the West? And was he really looking for India?
Start: University Company
As a sociable and extraordinary person, Christopher Columbus made numerous friends while still at the university, both among students and among professors. The astronomer Toscanelli, well known to the future navigator, tells his friends that, according to his calculations, India is much closer to Europe if one sails to the West. Based on his friend's calculations, Columbus makes his own. The result amazes him: it turns out that from Canary Islands Japan is no more than three thousand miles away. The calculations were wrong, but the idea turned out to be tenacious.
Continuation: own experience
Sea voyages began in the life of Christopher Columbus at the age of 14. According to tradition, the father sent his eldest son to gain experience by placing him as a cabin boy on the merchant ship of a merchant he knew. Christopher not only studied languages, navigation, and the art of trade, but also earned money to help his family. The first voyages were limited to the Mediterranean Sea, but it was this sea that was the focus of all economic relations between Europe and Asia. Therefore, Christopher Columbus had the opportunity to meet with Arab merchants, for whom India was a very familiar country. Greedily absorbing the stories of the Arabs about the wealth of a distant country, about the morals and customs of the population, about the rulers and state structure, young Christopher is increasingly interested in finding ways to a country that will make him fabulously rich. After a very profitable marriage, Columbus moved with his wife to. At this time, Christopher Columbus took part in several trade voyages, he visited West Africa (Guinea), Northern Europe(, Ireland, Iceland). Northern journey played a special role in life the great explorer Christopher Columbus. It has long been known that the Vikings visited America long before the Spaniards and Portuguese. But in the 15th century, enlightened Europe preferred not to notice the ancient chronicles of the northern peoples, considering them barbaric and unreliable. Columbus was not so arrogant, moreover, he was distinguished by extraordinary curiosity. While in Iceland, the traveler gets acquainted with the sagas telling about the travels of Erik the Red and Leiv Eriksson. From that moment on, the confidence that the “mainland” was located beyond the Atlantic never left Christopher Columbus.
The path of Christopher Columbus: from idea to implementation
It is known that Christopher Columbus proposed an expedition to the west of the Canary Islands five times. He first addressed this proposal back in 1475 to the government of the Genoese Republic and the richest merchants, promising unprecedented profits and wealth in India. The proposal was heard, but did not arouse enthusiasm. In the eyes of seasoned Genoese, the ardor of the 24-year-old weaver's son was the result of youth, a thirst for adventure and a lack of experience. 
The second attempt was made in 1483, this time Christopher Columbus wanted to seduce the Portuguese king with the treasures of India. The tight-fisted and sensible ruler ordered a careful study of the proposal, but as a result also refused support. The thing is that by this time Columbus had acquired quite large debts and, in the eyes of the monarch, could not be considered a trustworthy person. Christopher Columbus made a third proposal to the Spanish crown. In dire need of gold, she was painfully worried about her “provincialism.” An entire commission was created to consider the “Genoese” proposal. Financiers and theologians met for four years, and Columbus tried his best to hide the details of the upcoming journey, he was afraid that the idea would be stolen from him. To “insure himself”, tireless and obsessed with his idea, the traveler turns to the English and French kings. But the English Henry was busy with the internal problems of the country, and the young and confused Charles simply did not attach any importance to the message. While the Spaniards were deciding what to do with Columbus's proposal, the Portuguese king sent the navigator an invitation to return to Portugal and continue negotiations. Christopher Columbus makes no secret of this message; the Spaniards were in a hurry. Finally, the conditions of the expedition were announced: the initiator of the expedition must pay an eighth of the expenses, the rest of the money will come from the “queen’s uncollected taxes.” In other words, there was no money at all. The monarchs flavored the strange financing scheme with the creation of Christopher Columbus as a nobleman and the promise to make him viceroy of all the lands that he would discover. On the other hand, the royal attention to the journey helped to quickly find sponsors, creditors, assistants and associates.
Four expeditions of Christopher Columbus: how the discovery of America took place
Christopher Columbus's first expedition
Contrary to popular belief, he did not go to India, but to Japan and China. It was these countries that were supposed to meet on his way according to his calculations. 
Three ships - "Santa Maria", "Pinta" and "Nina" - set off towards the unknown in early August 1492. After a short repair in the Canary Islands, the expedition moved to the West. On October 12, 1492, the cry of the sailor Rodrigo de Triana: “Earth! Earth!” - ended the Middle Ages in Europe and gave rise to the New Age. A small island in the Bahamas archipelago, named San Salvador by Columbus, became the first landmass of America discovered by Europeans for the second time, after the Vikings. Alas, no gold placers were discovered on the island. Columbus sails on... The coast is open, Haiti. Good contact has been established with the aborigines, who have a certain amount of gold jewelry, but do not value it at all and willingly exchange it for glass beads. Natural beauties delight the Spaniards, but... They didn’t come here for nature. Having learned from residents open islands that "yellow stone" is found in large quantities in " southern lands", Christopher Columbus decides to suspend the "discovery of America". For the first time, what was seen and collected was enough to awaken the "appetites" of the Spanish crown and obtain funding for a second expedition, more serious and thorough.
The second voyage of Christopher Columbus
Despite the fact that the results of the first voyage were much more modest than previously announced, the royal family, impressed by the stories of Christopher Columbus, willingly finances the next expedition. This time, 17 ships are setting off, carrying up to one and a half thousand crew members, livestock, great amount supplies, grain, seeds. This is no longer exploration, this is an expedition to colonize open lands. Among the passengers of the ships are several dozen knights, priests, artisans, doctors, and officials. Everyone goes on a journey with the hope of getting rich... The journey goes quickly, the weather is favorable. After only 20 days of travel (November 3, 1493), land was spotted. And again the island. This time we managed to put the Antilles and Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico. Previously discovered Cuba and Haiti were explored. All participants understand that open lands they don’t “pull” in any way towards India or China, but Columbus (by this time an admiral and viceroy) continues to insist that they are in Asia, and the riches will be discovered very soon. 
In order to somehow justify the expenses of the expedition, Columbus sent ships to Spain with the gold he found, valuable timber and native slaves. The resulting “trophies” are so insignificant that the Spanish royal family decides to stop cooperating with Columbus, entrusting the task of supplying the colonists to Amerigo Vespucci. Having learned about this, the discoverer drops everything and hurries to Spain. During a reception with the royal couple, Christopher Columbus lies colorfully and emotionally: he found the mines of King Solomon, he brings the light of Christianity to hundreds of thousands of lost people. As proof, he provides cleverly compiled maps that prove that he reached Asia (the island of Cuba was shown on the map, but who at court understands this?) ... Finally, he demands that all rights to manage open lands, titles, be returned to him and ranks. And he will very soon fill Spain with gold... Christopher Columbus Map makes some impression on the king, and stories about natives converted to Christianity on the queen, and promises to “fill with gold” impress the entire Spanish court. This time I got out...
The third voyage of Christopher Columbus
Disastrous trip. The result was only the discovery of the island of Trinidad. Christopher Columbus's illness (yellow fever killed at least a third of the admiral's and viceroy's crew) prevented them from reaching the continental coast. The colonists who remained in Haiti were more engaged in internal disputes than in developing the land; they could not find a common language with the natives... Meanwhile, he is returning to Europe. Returns with a rich cargo of spices and silk, brocade and jewelry. The Portuguese are happy, Spain is shocked. So much money has been invested in the expeditions of the “Genoese”, but so far there has been nothing from him except colorful promises. All agreements with Christopher Columbus are broken. Francisco Bovadillo is sent for him, the order is to arrest and bring the “former viceroy” in shackles to Spain. The situation seemed hopeless. But here Christopher Columbus is helped by the main creditors of the Spanish crown - the Marranos. In essence, it was a ransom in the hope of future profits from the development of rich new lands. Forgetting about the claims, the king allows Columbus to set off on his fourth voyage in order to finally justify his trust. The crown does not give money, but there are still many people who want to get rich in Spain...
The fourth voyage of Christopher Columbus
Only the fourth time did Columbus's expedition manage to reach the continental coast. What did Christopher Columbus discover? this time? Having passed South coast Cuba, the ships of the "Genoese" approached the coast of Nicaragua, descended further south - to Costa Rica and Panama. Here the Indians told travelers that by land they could easily reach South Sea, and there live the warlike Incas, who own huge gold reserves. Columbus didn't believe it. Yellow fever claimed the lives of sailors, and it became increasingly difficult to continue the expedition. The admiral's order is to turn north, to the already known lands. On the way to Haiti, the expedition ships ran aground. Only Columbus's diplomatic skills, his ability to persuade and negotiate, made it possible to send several natives for help by boat. Help came, but there was nothing to get to Spain. For a whole year, travelers waited for a ship from Europe, which Columbus had to pay for with his own money. The return was difficult, the ocean was constantly stormy. From his trip, Columbus brought back samples of gold sand collected on the continental coast, as well as several silver nuggets. Evidence of the wealth of the new lands justified the traveler in the eyes of the king, but did not bring happiness to Columbus.
Sunset
No one remembered that according to the agreement with the royal couple, it was Columbus who was the ruler of the open lands. Long and painful correspondence with the court and ministers led to nothing. Sick, tired and offended, Columbus was dying in a modest house in the city of Valladolid. He spent all his savings accumulated over the years of travel from 1492 to 1504 to pay off the participants of the last expedition. On May 20, 1506, Christopher Columbus died. No one noticed his death. The fact is that it was at this time that the first ships from the New World, filled with gold and silver, began to arrive in Spain. There was no time for the “Genoese” here...
Main mystery: Asia or America?
Why did the discoverer of the New World so stubbornly talk about opening the way to Asia? Did he really not understand that a new, previously unknown part of the World had appeared on his way? Everything is explained simply: Columbus sailed towards the New World from the very beginning. But the grandeur of this discovery had to remain a secret for the time being. The cunning "Genoese" wanted to be the ruler of the whole world, new, unknown, rich. That is why it was important for him to secure the title of viceroy, which is why, even with the modest results of the first expeditions, he is so persistent in confirming his rights. Columbus did not have enough time, he did not have enough health. A navigator and scientist, he failed to calculate his strength, failed to acquire associates and friends. He wanted to do everything himself. Discoveries of Christopher Columbus contemporaries seemed modest and expensive. Only descendants were able to appreciate the significance of his expeditions. Although the open part of the World was named after Columbus’s main competitor, Amerigo Vespucci.
The last voyage of Christopher Columbus
Dying, Christopher Columbus bequeathed to bury himself “where my heart and life remain,” meaning Haiti, the first large island discovered in America. The will gathered dust for a long time among Columbus’s papers until, 34 years after the navigator’s death, it caught the eye of his grandson. The significance of the “Genoese’s” discoveries was undeniable by that time, so the appeal to the king with a request to “help fulfill the will of his grandfather” met with warm support. Dust navigator Christopher Columbus went to Haiti in 1540, where he was solemnly buried in the main temple of the city of Santa Domingo. When Haiti was captured by the French, the Spaniards, as a valuable relic, transported the ashes of Columbus to Cuba. And after Cuba ceased to be the property of Spain, they returned it to Spain. This trip to America was the last, posthumous one for the great navigator.
Not so long ago, examining the remains of Columbus in , scientists determined that they did not belong to the navigator (the bones were miniature, and the “Genoese” had a heroic physique). The grave of Christopher Columbus remains in Santa Domingo. However, during all the “moves”, the bones of Christopher Columbus could simply have been lost... Somewhere halfway from the New World to the Old World...
One day, Christopher Columbus uttered the sacramental phrase: “It’s a small world,” which, in fact, became the leitmotif of his entire life. In just over 50 years of his life, this greatest navigator managed to make as many discoveries and bring untold riches for all of Europe, which would have been impossible to do in just a few centuries. The navigator did everything he could and begged the Catholic kings to achieve his main life goal - to make an expedition to the shores of the New World. In total, Columbus managed to make four voyages to the shores of America during his life.
Columbus made his first sea voyage in 1492-1493. Thus, three ships called “Santa Maria”, “Nina” and “Pinta”, with a total crew of 90 people, set sail in 1492, on August 3, from the port of Palos. The route was laid out as follows: after the Canary Islands, the expedition went west through Atlantic Ocean, as a result of which the Sargasso Sea was discovered, and then landed on one of the islands belonging to the Bahamas archipelago. Columbus christened it San Salvador, and this happened on October 12, 1492, which is considered the official date of the discovery of America. What is noteworthy is that for a long time there was an opinion that San Salvador is the current Watling. However, in 1986, the geographer J. Judge, an American, made a computer model of the expedition, which showed that Columbus was the first to see the island of Samana, located 120 km southeast of the Watling Island.
From October 14 to October 24 of the same year, Columbus explored other Bahamas, but from October 28 to December 5, they opened the territories of the northeast of the Cuban coast. December 6 was marked by the landing on the island of Haiti, after which the expedition proceeded along north coast. However, on the night of December 24-25, the Santa Maria vessel collided with a reef, but the flagship’s crew managed to escape, and the expedition was forced to turn to the shores of Spain.
On March 15, 1493, the Niña, whose crew was led by Columbus, and the Pinta return to Castile. The navigator brings with him trophies, including the natives, whom the Europeans called Indians, gold, unfamiliar vegetation, vegetables and fruits, and the plumage of some birds. Remarkably, Columbus was the first to use Indian hammocks instead of sailor berths. The first expedition caused such a powerful resonance that the so-called “Papal Meridian” was laid, which determined in which direction Spain would discover new lands, and in which direction Portugal would.
The second expedition took longer than the first - from September 25, 1493 to June 11, 1496, and it started from Cadiz. This time the flotilla included 17 ships, and their crew, according to various sources, numbered from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand people, which included colonists who decided to try their luck on open lands. In addition to the people themselves, the ships were loaded with livestock, seeds and seedlings, tools - everything that was necessary to create a public settlement. During this expedition, the colonists conquered Hispaniola and founded the city of Santo Domingo. The journey was marked by the discovery of the Virgin and Lesser Antilles Islands, Puerto Rico and Jamaica, in addition, the expedition continued to explore Cuba. What is noteworthy is that Columbus continued to be confident that he was exploring western India, but not the territories of the new continent.
The third expedition started on May 30, 1498. This time it consisted of 6 ships with 300 crew members. It was marked by the discovery of the island of Trinidad, the exploration of the Orinoco Delta and several other lands. On August 20, 1499, Christopher Columbus returned to Hispaniola, where things were going from bad to worse. What is noteworthy is that in 1498, real India was discovered by Vasco de Gama, from where he returned with irrefutable evidence - spices, and Columbus was declared a deceiver. So, in 1499, Columbus was deprived of his monopoly right to discover new territories, he himself was arrested and taken to Castile. He was saved from imprisonment only by the patronage of large financiers who had influence on the royal couple.
Columbus's fourth and final voyage
The last expedition was undertaken on May 9, 1502. This time the traveler was exploring the mainland of Central America, namely: Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. By the way, this expedition was marked by the first acquaintance with the Mayan tribe. The purpose of this voyage was to search for the South Sea, that is, the Pacific Ocean, but the attempts were unsuccessful, and Columbus had to return to Castile in October 1504.
In general, the importance of Columbus’s expeditions cannot be overestimated, but his contemporaries treated them very negligently, realizing their value only half a century after his death, when the ships began to bring huge amounts of gold and silver from Peru and Mexico. For reference, when recalculated, the royal treasury spent only 10 kg of gold on equipment for the first voyage, but it received many times more - 3 million kilograms of the treasured yellow metal.
Initially, the American continent was inhabited by tribes that arrived from Asia. However, in the 13th-15th century, when active development culture, industry, civilized Europe goes in search and development of new lands. What happened to America at the end of the 15th century?
Christopher Columbus is a famous Spanish navigator. It was his first expedition that marked the beginning of active travel to " New World"and the development of this territory. The "New World" was then considered to be the lands that are now called South and North America.
In 1488, Portugal had a monopoly on the waters Atlantic coast Africa. Spain was forced to find another sea route to trade with India and gain access to gold, silver and spices. This is what prompted the rulers of Spain to agree to Columbus's expedition.
Columbus is looking for a new route to India
Columbus made only four expeditions to the shores of the so-called “India”. However, by the fourth expedition he knew that he had not found India. So, let's go back to Columbus's first voyage.
Columbus's first voyage to America
The first expedition consisted of only three ships. Columbus had to get two ships himself. The first ship was given by his fellow navigator Pinson. He also lent Columbus money so that Christopher could equip a second ship. About a hundred crew members also went on the trip.
The voyage lasted from August 1492 to March 1493. In October, they sailed to a land that was mistakenly considered to be the surrounding islands of Asia, that is, it could be the western territories of China, India or Japan. In reality, it was the European discovery of the Bahamas, Haiti and Cuba. Here, on these islands, local residents presented Columbus with dry leaves, i.e. tobacco, as a gift. The locals also walked naked around the island and wore various gold jewelry. Columbus tried to find out from them where they got the gold and only after he took several natives prisoner did he find out the route where they got it. So Columbus attempted to find gold, but found only more and more new lands. He was happy that he had opened a new route to “Western India,” but there were no developed cities and untold riches there. When returning home, Christopher took with him local residents(whom he called Indians) as proof of success.
When did the colonization of America begin?
Soon after returning to Spain with gifts and "Indians", the Spaniards soon decide to send the sailor on his way again. Thus began Columbus's second expedition.
Columbus's second voyage
September 1493 - June 1496 The purpose of this journey was to organize new colonies, so the flotilla included as many as 17 ships. Among the sailors there were priests, nobles, officials and courtiers. They brought domestic animals, raw materials, and food with them. As a result of the expedition, Columbus paved a more convenient route to “Western India”, the island of Hispaniola (Haiti) was completely conquered, and the extermination of the local population began.
Columbus still believed that he was in Western India. On the second trip, they also discovered islands, including Jamaica and Puerto Rico. On Hispaniola, the Spaniards found gold deposits in the depths of the island and began mining it, with the help of enslaving the local residents. Worker uprisings arose, but unarmed local residents were doomed. They died as a result of the suppression of riots, diseases brought from Europe, and hunger. The rest of the local population was subject to tribute and enslaved.
The Spanish rulers were not satisfied with the income that the new lands brought, and therefore allowed everyone to move to the new lands, and broke the agreement with Columbus, that is, they deprived him of the right to rule the new lands. As a result, Columbus decides to travel to Spain, where he negotiates with the kings to return his privileges, and that prisoners will live in the new lands, who will work and develop the territories; moreover, Spain will be freed from undesirable elements of society.
Third trip
Columbus set out on the third expedition with six ships, 600 people also included prisoners from Spanish prisons. Columbus this time decided to pave the way closer to the equator in order to find new lands rich in gold, since the current colonies provided modest incomes, which did not suit the Spanish kings. But due to illness, Columbus was forced to go to Hispaniola (Haiti). There, a rebellion awaited him again. To suppress the rebellion, Columbus had to allocate land to the local residents and give slaves to help each rebel.
Then, unexpectedly, news came - the famous navigator Vasco da Gama discovered the real route to India. He arrived from there with treats, spices, and declared Columbus a deceiver. As a result, the Spanish kings ordered the arrest of the deceiver and returned him to Spain. But soon, the charges against him are dropped and he is sent on the last expedition.
Fourth expedition
Columbus believed that there was a path from new lands to a source of spices. And he wanted to find him. As a result of the last expedition, he discovered islands off South America, Costa Rica and others, but never got to Pacific Ocean, because I learned from local residents that Europeans were already here. Columbus returned to Spain.
Since Columbus no longer had a monopoly on the discovery of new lands, other Spanish travelers set out to explore and colonize new territories. An era began when impoverished Spanish or Portuguese knights (conquistadors) traveled away from their native lands in search of adventure and wealth.
Who was the first to colonize America?
The Spanish conquistadors initially tried to develop new lands in North Africa, but the local population showed strong resistance, so the discovery of the New World came in handy. It was thanks to the discovery of new colonies in North and South America that Spain was considered the main superpower of Europe and the mistress of the seas.
In history and literature, the period of the conquest of American lands is perceived differently. On the one hand, the Spaniards are viewed as educators who brought culture, religion, and art with them. On the other hand, it was brutal enslavement and destruction of the local population. In fact, it was both. Modern countries They evaluate the contribution of Spaniards to the history of their country differently. For example, in Venezuela in 2004, a monument to Columbus was demolished because he was considered the founder of the extermination of the local indigenous population.
Christopher Columbus is a legendary explorer and seafarer, considered the discoverer of the American continent. In addition, it was Columbus who was the first to put Sargasso and Caribbean Sea, Bahamas and Antilles. Christopher Columbus is the first known explorer to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
The biography of Columbus in its content cannot be perceived as truth, since it is extremely difficult to find real facts about his origin and life up to the first expedition. So the story developed that even the ship's log, in which Christopher Columbus recorded information about his journey to the New World, i.e. the most significant historical document of this voyage has not survived. The biography of Christopher Columbus is briefly as follows...
Childhood and youth
Italian by origin. Born in Genoa between August 25 and October 31, 1451 in the family of wool weaver Domenico Colombo (the exact date is not established). The sources also contain the name Cristobal Colon, apparently an Italian transcription. In general, very little is known about childhood and adolescence. The right to be called the homeland of the navigator is actually disputed by 6 cities in Italy and Spain, i.e. Genoa is also not certain.
Christopher's mother, Susanna Fontanarossa, was the daughter of a weaver. Christopher had 3 younger brothers - Bartolome (about 1460), Giacomo (about 1468), Giovanni Pellegrino, who died very early, and a sister, Bianchinetta.
Documentary evidence from the time shows that the family's financial situation was deplorable. Particularly large financial problems arose because of the house into which the family moved when Christopher was 4 years old. Much later, on the foundations of that house in Santo Domingo, where Cristoforo spent his childhood, a building was erected called “Casa di Colombo” (Spanish: Casa di Colombo - “House of Columbus”). In 1887, an inscription appeared on the facade of the house: “ No parental home can be more revered than this».
Since Colombo the elder was a respected artisan in the city, in 1470 he was sent on an important mission to Savona to discuss with the weavers the issue of introducing uniform prices for textile products. Apparently, this is why Dominico moved with his family to this city, where after the death of his wife and youngest son, as well as after his eldest sons left home and Bianca’s marriage, he increasingly began to seek solace in a glass of wine.
Since the future discoverer of America grew up near the sea, from childhood he was attracted by the sea. From his youth, Christopher was distinguished by faith in omens and divine providence, morbid pride and a passion for gold. He had a remarkable mind, versatile knowledge, a talent for eloquence and the gift of persuasion. It is known that after studying a little at the University of Pavia, around 1465 the young man entered service in the Genoese fleet and at a fairly early age began to sail as a sailor on the Mediterranean Sea on merchant ships. After some time, he was seriously wounded and temporarily left the service.
Life in Portugal
Somewhere in the mid-1470s. Christopher settled in Portugal, joined the community of Italian merchants in Lisbon and, under the Portuguese flag, sailed north to England, Ireland and Iceland. He visited Madeira, the Canary Islands, walked along west coast Africa to modern Ghana.
In Portugal, he advantageously married Felipe Moniz de Palestrello, who was the daughter of the governor of that country. The wedding took place in 1479, a year later their son was born, who was named Diego. Columbus moved his wife to Genoa, and he continued to travel.
He was immortalized by his expeditions, during which he was the first European explorer to enter the Caribbean Sea and the first human to cross the Atlantic Ocean. And, of course, the honor of discovering America also belongs to him, although the continent was not named after him. In total, the traveler undertook 4 expeditions, organized by order of the Spanish kings.
First expedition. Three vessels and 100 crew members took part in it. The ships sailed in August 1492. Columbus's original goal was Japan (then called Chipangu), and not India, as many believe. During the voyage, the ships entered the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas, Haiti, and several islands that later belonged to Cuba were discovered. It was during this expedition that a European first set foot on the soil of South America. However, all open lands were considered East Asia- the environs of India, China or Japan, which is why these territories were called the West Indies for a very long time.
Second trip. This expedition was truly grandiose - 17 ships and more than 1,500 crew members left Spain on September 25, 1493. Since the purpose of the voyage was to organize a permanent colony, the team included not only sailors, but also priests, nobles, courtiers, and officials. They brought livestock, seeds and grapevines with them. The result was the conquest of Hispaniola and the beginning of the extermination of the natives. Columbus also managed to pave the most convenient route to the West Indies, discover the Virgin and Lesser Antilles Islands, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. The southern coast of Cuba was thoroughly explored. Moreover, all participants were sure that they were in Western India.
Third voyage. At this time, Columbus was limited in funds for the expedition, so the flotilla consisted of 6 small ships, which had approximately 300 crew members, some of whom were prisoners. The ships left Spain at the end of May 1498. Columbus’s goal this time was gold, which he expected to find near the equator. Having reached the Canary Islands, he sent half of the ships to Hispaniola, while he himself led the remaining three to the Cape Verde Islands, and then to the southwest. Thus Trinidad was discovered, and soon after, Columbus was forced to return to Hispaniola due to illness. At this time, the colonists rebelled in Hispaniola, which ended with the introduction of enslavement of the Indians to the colonists. After opening the route to India, the Spanish king abolished Columbus's monopoly on the lands of Hispaniola and declared them to be the property of the Spanish crown.
Fourth voyage. Columbus made a new attempt to prove that a route from the lands he discovered to South Asia existed on May 9, 1502. The expedition consisted of 5 ships. They managed to discover the island of Martinique, and also reach the coast of Central America. Columbus also proved that it was impossible to get through the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea (which the Indians told him about). In 1503, Columbus was forced to land in Jamaica, from where he and the surviving members of the expedition were picked up only at the end of June 1504 by a ship equipped at the expense of the navigator himself.