Christopher Columbus Research Paper

In 1492, under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchy of Spain, Christopher Columbus set out in the Santa Maria, with the expectation of reaching Japan, in order to facilitate the spice trading with West Asia. Instead, in one of ‘the most momentous gambles in history’, Columbus instead arrived on the islands of the Caribbean, and proceeded to re-name the islands and control their people. Consequently, it is largely accepted that Columbus ‘discovered’ and thus, ‘invented’ America, despite the fact that the islands were already inhabited by natives, and Leif Ericson had led a Norse expedition in the 11th century that had reached the newly-christened San Salvador long before Columbus’ voyage. San Salvador, and the surrounding islands, were ‘christened’

Due to this, it cannot be said that Columbus ‘invented’ the Americas, or even discovered them. Their cultures and people existed long before European travellers decided to venture to them; it can be argued that Columbus colonised the Americas, but he also decimated the islands’ populations and committed multiple atrocities against the indigenous people. This notion of Columbus’ ‘invention’ of America may be considered valid in terms of the subsequent technological advancement, the introduction of new settlement patterns, and European ways of valuing commodities, for example, that Columbus and his men contributed to the native people, but it cannot be considered accurate to say Columbus ‘invented’ America. In fact, as recounted in Columbus’ letter to Santángel, some of his sailors saw the natives merely as an opportunity they should take advantage of; ‘a certain sailor obtained in exchange for a shoelace tip as much worth of gold as would equal three golden coins’, due to the natives being ‘trustworthy’ and showing ‘greater love for all other than for themselves.' This lack of morality could cause us to question Columbus’ true intentions when he set out on his voyages; discovery, and facilitating trade, but also greed and avarice seem to play a role in his motivations, especially due to the fact that part of his conditions for sail were so demanding; he would be ‘knighted, appointed Admiral of the Ocean Sea, made the viceroy of any new lands, and awarded ten percent of any new wealth’ in the event his voyage was deemed