Joshua Williams October 4, 2013 8th Period

Being Christopher Columbus

Do you know an Italian explorer that is known for discovering the "New World" of the Americas in 1492 that also happen to be funded by the King and Queen of Spain. Well, if not let me tell you the answer to that statement. Christopher Columbus, also known as Cristoforo Colombo and Cristbal Coln, is known for discovering the land you step foot on today. Based on the information I known and have read I plan to inform you of this great explorers background life, of his voyages, and last but not least his journeys significance. I have a lot of information of this Italian explorer and hope to tell you at least one fact that you did not know while you read this essay. Now to tell you of the great explorers life that is unknown to other people. The Italian explorer was born in the Republic of Genoa, Italy in 1451. Christopher Columbus was a son of a wool merchant. In his teenager years, he got a job on a merchant ship. He stayed at sea until around 1470, during that time French ships attacked his ship as it sailed north of the Portuguese shore. The incident on his first voyage almost cost Christopher his life. His ship was burned and Columbus had to swim to the Portuguese shore but Columbus floated to shore of Lisbon, where he began to study mathematics, astronomy, cartography and navigation. He also began to hatch the plan that would change the world forever. Columbus went several times on other expeditions to Africa. This expedition was for him to obtain knowledge of the Atlantic currents flowing east and west. Since Muslims dominated the trade routes through the Middle East his travel to India and China was difficult. Believing a route sailing west across the Atlantic would be quicker and safer; Columbus began to make a plan to sail west to get to the East. Christopher predicted the Source:
http://www.history.com/topics/christopher-columbus#a1 http://www.biography.com/people/christopher-columbus-9254209?page=1#synopsis World History Textbook Chapter 6 Notes

earth to be a sphere approximately 63% its actual size. While experts disagreed with Columbus on matters of distance, they concurred that a westward voyage from Europe would be possible because of the water route. After reading this portion of the essay you should known more of Christophers younger life. Before Columbus started to travel he had to get funding for his trips. Rejected by the Portuguese king for a three-ship voyage of discovery, Columbus took his plan first to Genoa and then to Venice but was rejected there too. He presented his plan to the King in England, but it was not until 1491 that he found someone to sponsor his trip. The Spanish monarchs Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile truly agreed to fund his voyage. On August of 1492, Columbus left Spain to seek out a new route to India and had three ships that had been taken with him; the Santa Maria, with the Pinta and the Nia alongside were put in place to help him discover this route. After they set out they happened to find out that they had not prepared enough supplies and the voyage took the crew longer than expected. Although they did happen to find land, it was not what they were looking for; but Columbus thought so and he believed he had finally found America but instead he had found a New World. In March 1493, Chris returned to Spain but left 40 men behind. In September 1493, Columbus went back to the Americas. He found the present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic settlement ruined, to take place of the riches he had promised the Spanish monarchs, he sent some 500 slaves to Queen Isabella. The queen became shocked she thought that anyone Columbus found were Spanish subjects definitely could not be enslaved and she quickly returned the explorers gift. On May 1498, Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic this was marked as his third time. In 1502, Chris was stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus somehow convinced the Spanish king to pay for his last trip across the Atlantic. This time, Columbus made it all the way to Panama where he had to abandon

Joshua Williams October 4, 2013 8th Period while an attack was going on from hostile natives. Although on that last trip he did not happen to bring anything back and was empty-handed. His death was in 1506 in Spain. Columbus is known for discovering America; although people say that Christopher Columbus so called discovered America, when he simply traveled to the New World. Although if Columbus had not found this land for the Europeans we Americans might not be here today. My reason for that is because of Columbus curiosity and after he found this land for the Europeans; they bought over African American which carter to our society today. Some significant things that happen to be bad for our society today are the disease that Europeans brought with them. Environmental changes happened over time also. But due to the Europeans our weapons happen to be so much more advanced and better quality. Europeans also received a lot of natural resources from American territories also. Today, Columbus has even had a chain reaction in society. Due to his wondering mind we live on this land today although due to his curiosity we have a lot of diseases on this land today. So all in all Columbus has had excellent and terrible significances on America. Now you should know a lot more of the Italian explorer that is known for discovering the "New World" of the Americas in 1492. Christopher Columbus, is known for discovering the land you step foot on today, although most people do not think of all of the horrible things he brought as well. Based on the information I have shown you should know much of the explorers life in general. In conclusion, I believe that this information I have list should have informed you of Christopher Columbus.

Source:
http://www.history.com/topics/christopher-columbus#a1 http://www.biography.com/people/christopher-columbus-9254209?page=1#synopsis World History Textbook Chapter 6 Notes