As Europeans searched for sea routes to Asia, Christopher Columbus reaches the Americas.

Why Explore ?

Henry the Navigator Started a school on the coast Portugal. Organized sailing expeditions. Motivations – Find African gold Learn more about geography Spread Christianity

Bartolomeu Dias Portuguese develop a new ship called the Caravel Triangular sails made it faster/better Dias will sail in a caravel and reach the southern tip of Africa. Named is the Cape of Good Hope Bc they hoped they had found a route to Asia.

Vasco da Gama Ten years later, da Gama follows Dias’s route Continues north around Africa and reaches India First person to find an all-water route to Asia

Portugal Grows Rich Portugal will take control of the spice trade after finding the all-water route. This made the people their rich Spain and other European Rivals want their own part in this profitable trade. They start looking for an all-water route.

Christopher Columbus Italian sailor, Christopher Columbus thought he knew a faster way to reach Asia. Instead of going East, his plan was to go west across the Atlantic because he thought it would be faster. He made 2 mistakes Wrong about the size of Asia Underestimated the distance around the globe In 1483 he asked the King of Portugal to sponsor his voyage –they turned him down. In 1486 he asked their rival, Spain.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella They liked Columbus’s plan because they wanted a share of the rich Asian trade. The Queen was a strong Catholic and wanted to spread Christianity. Reservations- 1. Advisors had doubts about Columbus’s calculations. 2. Spain was in a costly war to drive the Muslims out of Spain. 3. Columbus was asking high prices for his payment.

Setting Sail After their war with the Muslims ended, they agreed to sponsor Columbus. Columbus assembled 3 ships: 1. Nina 2. Pinta 3. Santa Maria About 90 men loaded the ships with enough supplies for 1 year. Once aboard the ship Columbus kept a log about the journey.

Reaching the Americas

Columbus thought he reached the Indies, islands of southeast Asia. He and his men were greeted by the Taino people, but Columbus mistakenly called them Indians. Claimed and named the Island San Salvador.

Reaching the Americas Eager to reach Japan, He left San Salvador with Taino as guides. For three months traveled through the Caribbean. Finally landed on an island he named Española (Hispaniola) There Columbus found gold and was convinced he found Asia. Returned home leaving 39 of his men on Hispaniola. By the time he returned 10 months later, the Taino killed everyone.

Reaching the Americas In January 1493, returned to Spain, believing he had found a new route to Asia… …No one knew he had landed near continents entirely unknown to Europeans. Never brought back treasures. Didn’t spread Christianity. Enslaved and Mistreated Natives. He died in 1506, believing he had reached Asia.

Spain Grows Powerful Began an era of great wealth and power for Spain. As Spain’s wealth grew, England, France and other countries began sending voyages to the Americas.