Christobal Colon

Christopher Colombus was once an Italian explorer who discovered America in the mid 1400's. At the time he was around, everthing in recorded history and civilization was all in the Eastern side of the planet: Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Americas weren't discovered yet. At this time, everyone wanted a route to India because rumors were spread about the country's large amount of rich spices and other valuable resources. Most of Europe was looking for it, but many explorers failed.

An Italian man named Christopher Colombus had an idea that was thought to be crazy at the time and was way outside the box. He thought that he could reach India by circling the globe and finding the place on the other side of the planet. Because of religious reasons, everybody thought the Earth was flat. But astronomy and physics started prooving that wrong, but because of religious ignorance, they all denied it. People thought that Cristopher was crazy for this, especially because he was in Italy; the most Christian country in the world. The Italian people thought that he would fall off of the edge of the world. He tried to convince the Italian king for him to do this, but Christopher was laughed at by the royal family. Then he tried going to Spain and convincing th Spanish queen to support him. At first, everyone still laughed at him. But eventually the queen gave him the documents that allowed him to sail the Atlantic ocean. Everyone still thought he was a nut job, but some people came with him and supported Christopher.

On the first voyage, on 1492, it took 6+ months to get to the Americans. By month 5, the entire crew was thinking of turning back to Spain, but Christopher said no. On month 6, the crew was ready to throw him over-board because they were running out of food and water, and were sick of being on a ship. But soon, they saw land on the horizon and the crew got so exited that as soon as they hit shore, they all jumped off and kissed the sand. At first, they all thought they were in India, but after charting and maping where they were, it turn out they were on on island that is part of what is now the Bahamas. They met friendly Native Americans known as the Lucayan tribe. Later, they found other groups of natives known as Taino and Arawak. They were all peaceful and nice to the newly known white people. From the 12 October 1492 entry in his journal he wrote of them, "Many of the men I have seen have scars on their bodies, and when I made signs to them to find out how this happened, they indicated that people from other nearby islands come to San Salvador to capture them; they defend themselves the best they can. I believe that people from the mainland come here to take them as slaves. They ought to make good and skilled servants, for they repeat very quickly whatever we say to them. I think they can very easily be made Christians, for they seem to have no religion. If it pleases our Lord, I will take six of them to Your Highnesses when I depart, in order that they may learn our language." He remarked that their lack of modern weaponry and even metal-forged swords or pikes was a tactical vulnerability, writing, "I could conquer the whole of them with 50 men, and govern them as I pleased." Christopher wanted to make the natives into slaves, but they were too strong-willed and he failed. Other Islands like Cuba, Hispanola, and the Diminican Republic were all found in this voyage. Because Colombus thought they were all apart of India, he called the strip of Island in the Caribbean; the West Indies. After all that, he set sail to return to Europe. Everyone in Spain was shocked. Word spread of Christopher's voyage all throughout Europe. Colombus became a celebrity.

On the second voyage, this time, they were ready to start colonizing. Christopher brought 17 ships with over 1,200 men including farmers, soldiers, and priests. The mission was almost entirely dedicated to converting the natives into Christianity, which is why they brought priests. Colombus discovered more islands, including Puerto Rico, Jamaca, Haiti, The Virgin islands, and pretty much the rest on the caribbean. The natives were curious about these new white people and wanted to greet them. Cristopher awes them by predicting a lunar eclipse. The Spanish and natives were at peace. Christopher Colombut then returned to Spain.

On the third voyage, Colombus returned to Hispanola and discovered that the settleres were pissed off about his rule over them as Governor, claiming he misled them about the supposedly bountiful riches of the new world. A number of sailors and settlers went against him in the Spanish court and Colombus was found guilty of groos management. He had some of his crew hanged for disobedience. Colombus was eventually forced to make peace with the rebellious colonists if he ever wanted to return to the new world, because he was removed as governor of the colony by the Queen and sent back to Europe in chains. He eventually returned to the colony, but not as governor.

On the fourth voyage, accompanied by his brother Bartolomio, and his 13-year old son Fernando, he headed to Hispanola. As soon as he got there, a hurricane came and he took shelter in a small house with his son and his crew. By this time, Christopher Colombus had been told that these places weren't India, they were a completely different continent. But Christopher denied it. Amerigo Vespucci prooved him wrong.