The first round trip Christopher Columbus. Purpose of Christopher Columbus

One day, Christopher Columbus said a sacramental phrase: "The World of Tesne", which became, in fact, the leitmotif of his life. A little more than 50 years of life, this greatest navigator managed to make so many discoveries and bring unpretentious wealth for all of Europe how much it is impossible to do in a few centuries. What I just did not do, and as soon as the navigator of the Catholic kings did not quit, to achieve the main life goal, to make an expedition to the shores of the new world. In total, for his life, Columbus managed to make four swimming towards the shores of America.

The Columbus first sea travel was performed in 1492-1493. So, three vessels called "Santa Maria", "Ninya" and "Pint", the total crew of which was 90 people, went in swimming in 1492, August 3, from the port in Palos. The route was laid as follows: after Canary Islands The expedition went to the West through the Atlantic Ocean, as a result of which Sargassovo Sea was opened, and then landed on one of the islands belonging to the Bahamas archipelago. Columbus painted him by San Salvador, but it happened on October 12 in 1492, which is considered the official date of opening of America. What is noteworthy, for a long time it was the opinion that San Salvador is the current Watling. However, in 1986, a computer model of an expedition was made by Geographer J. Phaj, who showed that the first Columbus saw the island of Saman, which is 120 km south-east of Wateling island.

From 14 to 24 October of the same year, Columbus explored other Bahamas, and from October 28 to December 5, they were discovered from the territory of the northeast of the Cuban coast. December 6 was marked by landing on the island of Haiti, after which the expedition proceeded along northern coast. However, at night from December 24-25, the Santa Mary ship faced the reef, but the flagship crew managed to escape, and the expedition is forced to turn to the shores of Spain.

March 15, 1493 "Ninya" whose crew was headed by Columbus, and Pinta returns to Castile. The navigator brings with him trophies, among which the natives, which Europeans called the Indians, gold, unfamiliar vegetation, vegetables and fruits, the opey of some birds. What is noteworthy, Columbus became the first who used Indian hammocks instead of sailor beds. The first expedition caused such a powerful resonance that the so-called "papal meridian" was laid, which was determined, in which direction will open new lands of Spain, and in what - Portugal.

The second expedition passed longer than the first - from September 25, 1493 to June 11, 1496, and she started from Cadiz. This time, 17 ships were included in the flotilla, and their crew, according to different information, has numbered from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand people, among whom colonists who decided to experience the fate on open lands. In addition to, in fact, people, on the vessel, loaded with domestic cattle, seeds and seedlings, instruments of labor - to all that was necessary to create a public settlement. During this expedition, the colonists were conquered by Espanyol, the city of Santo Domingo was laid. The journey was marked by the discovery of the Virgin and Small Antille Islands, Puerto Rico and Jamaica, in addition, the expedition continued to explore Cuba. What is noteworthy, Columbus continued to be sure that he examines Western India, but not the territory of the new continent.

The third expedition started on May 30 in 1498. This time she consisted of 6 ships, on which there were 300 crew members. It was marked by the opening of the island of Trinidad, the study of the Orinoco delta and several more lands. On August 20, 1499, Christopher Columbus returned to Espanyol, in which things went out of her hands badly. What is noteworthy, in 1498, Vasco de Gama was opened by the real India, from where he returned with irrefutable proof - spices, and Columbus was declared a deceiver. So, in 1499, Columbus took the monopoly right to the opening of new territories, he himself was arrested and delivered to Castile. From imprisonment, he was saved only by the patronage of major financiers who had an impact on the Royal Chet.


Fourth, and last, swimming Columbus

The last expedition was undertaken on May 9, 1502. This time the traveler was engaged in the study of the mainland Central AmericaNamely: 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 swimming was to search for the southern sea, that is, Pacific OceanHowever, attempts were not crowned with success, and Columbus had to return to Castile in October 1504.

In general, the value of the expeditions of Columbus is impossible to overestimate, but its contemporaries were very negligent to them, realizing their value only after half a century after the death of the navigaters, when the vessels began to bring a huge amount of gold and silver from Peru and Mexico. For reference, on the gear of the first melting of the royal treasury, when recalculating, only 10 kg of gold was spent, but she received more than 3 million cherished yellow metal kilograms.

Christopher Columbus was born between August 26 and October 31, 1451 on the island of Corsica in the Genoese Republic. Education The future discoverer received at the University of Pavia.

A brief biography of Columbus did not save accurate evidence of his first swimming, however, it is known that in the 1470s he made maritime expeditions with trading goals. Already then, Columbus has an idea of \u200b\u200btraveling to India in the West. The navigator turned to the rulers of European countries many times with a request to help him organize an expedition - to the king of Juan II, the duke of Medina-Sili, King Henry VII and others. Only in 1492, Columbus's travel was approved by Spanish rulers, first of all, Queen Isabella. He was assigned the title "Don", promised remuneration in the event of a successful project.

Four expeditions. Discovery of America

In 1492, the first navigation of Columbus was committed. During the journey, the navigator was opened by the Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, although he himself considered these lands "Western India".

During the second expedition, Columbus's assistants were such well-known personalities as the future conqueror of Cuba Diego Velasquez de Cuang, the notary Rodrigo de Bastidas, the pioneer of Juan de la Spit. Then the opening of the navigator included virgin, small Antilles, Jamaica, Puerto Rico.

The third expedition of Christopher Columbus was committed in 1498. The main discovery of the navigator was the island of Trinidad. However, at the same time, Vasco da Gama has found a real way to India, so Columbus was declared a deceiver and sent under the convoy from Espanyol to Spain. However, on his arrival, local financiers managed to persuade King Ferdinand II to remove the accusations.

Columbus did not leave hope to open a new brief path to South Asia. In 1502, the navigator was able to achieve the permission of the king for the fourth journey. Columbus reached the shore of Central America, proving that mainland lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the South Sea.

Last years

During last journey Columbus is seriously ill. Upon returning to Spain, he failed to restore the privileges and rights given to him. Christopher Columbus died on May 20, 1506 in Seville in Spain. The navigator was first buried in Seville, but in 1540, by order of Emperor Charles V, the remains of Columbus were transported to the Espanyol Island (Haiti), and in 1899 again in Seville.

"Columbus America opened, the great was a sailor," as they say in one song ... However, before you go to swimming, the famous navigator was looking for financing for his arrival for many years. And although many wenses of that time, the project of Christopher Columbus was in his own way, they were not in a hurry to allocate money for his exercise. However, the future discoverer was a person in assertive, and still collected the necessary funds, and equipped three ships, each of whom has their amazing history.

Christopher Columbus

Before you know about the ships on which Columbus accomplished its legendary journey, it is worth remembering about the largest navigator.

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in his nationality, scientists are especially arguing. Christopher himself is considered to be a Spanish navigator, because the Spaniards equipped his expedition. However, different sources call it Italian, Catalan and even a Jew who adopted Christianity.

In any case, a man Columbus was outstanding, which gave him the opportunity to receive decent education at the university italian city Pavia. After studying, Christopher often began to swim. Most often he participated in maritime trade expeditions. Perhaps precisely because of hobbies marine travel At the nineteen years, Columbus married the daughter of the famous navigator Donier Felipe de Palentrello.

When America's future discoverer was twenty-three, he began to actively correspond with the famous Florentine scientist Paolo Toskanlyli, who prompted him the idea of \u200b\u200btraveling to India across the Atlantic Ocean.

After conducting its own calculations, Christopher Columbus was convinced of the right of his pen-friend. Therefore, in the coming years, he introduced the travel project to the most wealthy people of Genoa. But they did not appreciate it and refused to finance.

Disappointed in compatriots, Columbus offers to organize an expedition and after the nobles and the clergy of Spain. However, the years went, and no one has identiced funds to the Columbus project. In desperation, the navigator was addressed even to the British king, but everything is in vain. And already when he was going to move to France and there was a happiness, the Queen of Spain Isabella took to finance the expedition.

Travel Columbus

Total made four swimming from Europe to America. All of them are carried out in the period from 1492 to 1504.

During the first expedition, Columbus, together with him, went about a hundred people on three ships. Total journey back and back took about seven and a half months. During this expedition, marigors opened the islands of Cuba, Haiti and Bahamas in the Caribbean. Open Columbus Earth for many years all was called Western India. It is noteworthy that some researchers argue that the purpose of the Columbus expedition was not India, but Japan.

Over time, because of various disputes, open lands have ceased to be the property of only the Spanish crown and were divided between European marine powers.

While Christopher was in the third expedition, Vasco da Gama opened the real path to India, thereby putting the stigma of the deceiver on the reputation of Columbus. After that, the navigator himself in the shackles were sent home and wanted to judge, but Spanish rich, already well-earned in open lands, defended Columbus and achieved his liberation.

Trying to prove his rightness, the navigator took the fourth expedition, during which he finally got to the continent of America.

In the latter, I tried to return the noble title, complained to him by the venance of Spanish monarchs, as well as privileges in open lands. However, he could not do it. After death, the remains of the discoverer were reburied several times, so now there are a few probable graves of Christopher Columbus.

Three Columbus Ship (Korak and Karavella)

When Christopher Columbus finally financed financing his first expedition, he took up the preparation of ships.

First of all, it was necessary to determine the amount. Since his enterprise was rather risky, it was obligated to equip a large flotilla. At the same time, one or two ships - too little. Therefore, it was decided to equip three units. What were the coordinated ships of Columbus? The main one is the Karakka "Santa Maria", and two Karavella: "Ninya" and "Pint".

Karakka and Karavella - What is it?

The ship of Christopher Columbus "Santa Maria" by type was a drake. So called common in the 15-16th centuries sailing ships 3-4 masts. It is noteworthy that in Europe they were the most huge at the time. As a rule, on such ships it could be placed from five hundred people to one and a half thousand. If we consider that the entire crew of the three vessels of Columbus was a hundred people, probably "Santa Maria" was a small carp.

Other ships of Columbus (the names of their "Ninya" and "Pint") were caravels. These are 2-3 mast vessels common in the same years. Unlike Karakk, they were less adapted for long expeditions. At the same time, they differed more maneuverability, and were also light and cheap, so soon they undecusively crowded cumbersome stamps.

The ship Columbus "Santa Maria"

Like a portrait of a great navigator, and the appearance of his first three ships is not preserved. Description of Columbus ships, like their drawings, are quite approximate and made up with the words of the surviving eyewitnesses after many years or by the assumptions of scientists.

As it is customary, "Santa Maria" was a small one-challenged drake with three masts. It is assumed that the length of the ship was up to 25 m, and the width is up to 8 m. Its displacement was about 1200 tons. The ship was a depth of 3 m, and on the deck there was a bunk extension where the cabins and storage rooms were located on the deck. There was a triangular platform on the tank.

Santa Maria (Columbus ship) was equipped with several guns of different caliber designed for firing by stone cores. It is noteworthy that in their records the navigator periodically called his flagship ship, then the Karakka, then Caravel. Columbus flagship ship belonged to Juan de la Spit, who was also his captain.

Fate "Santa Mary"

Unfortunately, Santa Maria was not destined to return home to Spain, since in December 1492, during the first trip, the flagship ship of Columbus sat on the reefs near Haiti. It was impossible to save "Santa Maria", Christopher ordered to pick up everything that should be visited and transferred to Karavella. The ship itself was decided to disassemble the building materials, of which later on the same island was built by the Fort "Christmas" ("La Navidad").

"Ninya"

According to the contemporaries of the discoverer, Ninya (the ship Columbus) was a favorite vessel of the reproductive of new lands. For all his travel, he overcame on it over forty-five thousand kilometers. After the death of "Santa Mary", it was she who turned into the flagship ship of Columbus.

The real name of this vessel was "Santa Clara", but the members of the expedition gently called it "baby", which in Spanish sounds like "Ninya". The owner of this ship was Juan Niño. But in the first trip to Columbus Captain "Niny" was Vicente Yanez Pinson.

According to scientists, the size of "Santa Clara" was about 17 m in length and 5.5 m in width. It is also considered that there were three masts on NNINI. According to the shipment magazine, it was originally oblique sails had oblique sails, and after staying on the Canary Islands they were replaced by direct.

Initially, a little more than twenty crew members were on the ship, but after the death of Santa Maria, they became more. Interestingly, it was on it that sailors first began to sleep in hammocks, having adopted this tradition from the Indians.

Fate "Niny"

Began safely returned to Spain after the first expedition of Columbus, Ninya also participated in the second journey of Christopher to the shores of America. During the infamous hurricane of 1495, Santa Clara turned out to be the only surviving ship.

Between the 1496th and 1498, the beloved ship of the America's opener was captured by pirates, but thanks to the courage, her captain was released and went to the third columbus journey.

After 1501, there was no information about her, probably Karavel Sankred during one of the trips.

"Pint"

Accurate appearance data and specifications This ship has not been preserved in history.

It is only known that the ship of Columbus "Pinta" was the largest Caravel in the first expedition, however, for unknown reasons after the death of Santa Mary, the head of the Floa chose not as the flagship. Most likely, the case was in the owner and captain of the ship - Martin Alonso Pinson. After all, during the trip, he has repeatedly challenged the decision of Columbus. Probably, the great navigator was afraid of the rebellion and therefore chose the ship, where the captain was Martin's brother - a more flexible Vicente.

It is noteworthy that the Earth of the New World was the first to see the sailor with Pinta.

It is known that the ships of the apartments returned home. Moreover, the captain "Pinta" was achieved by all their forces so that his ship came first to Spain, hoping to inform the joyful news himself. But late for just a couple of hours due to storms.

Fate "Pints"

About how the fate of the "Pint" ship was not known after the travel of Columbus, unknown. There is evidence that after returning the captain of the ship was quite cold accepted in his homeland. And due to the health problems obtained during the expedition, died in a few months. Probably, the ship was either sold and changed the name, or died during the next melting.

Other ships Columbus

If during the first expedition, Fleotilla Columbus had only three small ships, then in the second there were seventeen, in the third - six, and in the fourth - only four. It was associated with the loss of confidence in Christopher Columbus. Ironically, but just a few decades, Columbus will be one of the greatest heroes of Spain.

The names of most of these vessels are not preserved. It is only known that the flagship in the second expedition was the ship called "Maria Galante", and in the fourth - "La Captain".

After so many years, after it was clarified on which Columbus ships went to his first journey and discovered for all mankind new world, it becomes surprising how they could go there at all. After all, the Spanish crown has more powerful and voluminous courts, but their owners did not want to risk them. The owners of Santa Mary, Santa Clara (Niña), as well as "Pinta" were not like that and risked to go to the Columbus expedition. It is thanks to this that they have entered forever world historyAs the islands open with them and two new mainland.

Do you know the history of geographical discoveries well?

check yourself

Start test

Your reply:

Correct answer:

Your result: ((Score_CorRect)) from ((Score_Total))

Your Answers

The Middle Ages is rich in the biographies of people with amazing destinies. In that severe time, everything was possible: the beggars became the dukes and kings, the apprentices were created by masterpieces of art, and the dreamers opened new worlds. Someone everything was given easily and played, and someone on the way to the top was forced to overcome all imaginable and inconceivable obstacles ...

Few people today know that the greatest of medieval seafarers, the legendary Christopher Columbus It can be quite deserved and reasonable to be called one of the largest losers of the Epoch of the Great discoveries and the Middle Ages as a whole.

Why is that? Quite at least a little thought in his biography to understand everything.

The most interesting thing for you!

Italian in the service of the Spanish Crown

It follows from the fact that Columbus is not a Spaniard and not even a portuguese, as many believe. He is an ardent son of Italy, from Genoa. It was there that he was born somewhere in the interval between August 26 and October 31, 1451 (and after 29 years he was born in Portugal another famous navigator Fernan Magellan). It is believed that Christphore Columbus grew in a poor family. But in general, about his childhood and youth knows not so much. In general, it is amazing that in the biography so well-known even in his era of a person, there is a lot of "white spots".

Since the future discovere room was growing near the sea, since childhood he was delirious by the profession of the sailor. By the way, since childhood, I dreamed of the sea and Admiral Nelson - one of the most famous personalities of England. This did not prevent Columbus to learn a little in the University of Pavia, after which he entered the service in the Genoese fleet in about 1465. It is known that after some time after that he got a hard wound and temporarily left the sea. By the way, then Columbus floated exclusively under the Spanish and Portuguese flag, and in his homeland turned out to be unclaimed.

In 1470, Christopher married the Donie Felipe Monis de Palesetrello, who was a daughter of a prominent navigator of those times. Quietly to live almost without the sea, he managed to 1472 in Genoa. From 1472, he appeared in Savon, a little lived there and moved in 1476 to Portugal, and again began to actively participate in maritime trading expeditions.


Until 1485, Columbus was floating in Portuguese courts, living, then in Lisbon, then on Madeira, then on Porto Santa. At this time, he mainly engaged in trade, an increase in its educational level and mapping. In 1483, he had already had a ready-made draft of the new maritime trading route to India and Japan, with whom the navigator and went to the Portuguese king.

But the time of Columbus has not yet come, or he could not properly argue the need for an expedition's equipment, or for some other reasons, but after two years of thought rejected this enterprise, and he also made a sudden sailor opal.

Columbus left him by going to the Spanish service, where a few years later, after a series of complex and subtle intrigues, he managed to persuade the king to finance the expedition.

Birth of a great project

Nobody cannot say exactly when the project of the Western sea route was drawn up to India. Scientists have proven that in their calculations, Columbus was based on the ancient knowledge about the shag-likeness of the Earth, and also studied the calculations and maps of the 19th century scientists. Presumably, at the very idea of \u200b\u200bthe balloon and the possibility of such a navigation in 1474, he came across Geographer Paolo Toskanlyli, which was confirmed by his letter Columbus. The navigator began to produce his own calculations and decided that if sailing through the Canary Islands, then from them to Japan should not be more than five thousand kilometers.

Improving the Columbus project contributed and visiting England, Ireland and Iceland in 1477, where he collected rumors and Iceland data that in the West there are extensive lands. He pulled out his salary skill in 1481, when he sailed in Guinea, being a captain of one of the courts in the expedition of Diogu de Azambuja, sent for the construction of the fortress of San Georges-da Min. Apparently, it was after this swimming that Columbus had no only a firm conviction about the possibility of success of his project, but also a good evidential base was collected in his favor. It remained only to learn how to persuade the power of people on financing ...

It should be noted that the first proposal for the organization of the expedition, he made the authorities and merchants of the native Genoa approximately after 1476, but then he was still too young and could provide very little evidence to his thoughts treat him seriously. But the modest at all times of Genoa, eclipsed by Venice and Rome, could have become the center of the world instead of Spain for several centuries, by the time of the expedition of Columbus formerly weak and rather poor country.


In 1485, the shipping project in India rejected the Portuguese king Zhuan II, yes it is so categorical that Columbus with his family was forced to urgently run to Spain. Oddly enough, it was this flight that was fateful for Columbus, because the first refuge he found in the monastery of Santa Maria da Rabida, the abbot of which, Juan Peres de Marchena was a close friend of Hernando de Talavera, Queen's confessor. It was through it that a letter with the ideas of Columbus was able to transfer the reign. The royal couple at this time lived in Cordoba, preparing the country and the army to the war with Greada, but the grain was sown.

Already in 1486, Columbus managed to light up his project a fantasy of a rich and influential Duke of Medina-Seli, who also introduced the most essence of the navigator into a circle of royal financial advisers, bankers and merchants. But the most useful was the acquaintance with his uncle - Spanish Cardinal Mendosa. This already took up the project with all seriousness, gathering his authority from the theologians, lawyers and courtiers. The Commission worked as four years old and did not give anything, since here Columbus led his character - secretious and incredulous.

In any case, from 1487 to 1492 Columbus not so much floats, how much travel in Spain after the royal couple. In 1488, he received an invitation to return to Portugal from the Portuguese king, but it was already late - Columbus felt that here, in Spain, he would definitely achieve something. However, he sent letters with their proposals to all influential Europe's yards, but the answer was only from the English king Henry VII, who in 1488 he expressed his support to the navigator, but did not offer anything concrete. Who knows, perhaps, be on the throne at that time Heinrich VIII, son Henry VII, Christopher Columbus would have left the expedition under the flag of England. Heinrich VIII loved the fleet very much, which only cost him the creation of huge ships for those standards Great Harry and Mary Rose!


The Spaniards also wanted to organize an expedition, but the country was in the protracted war and the means for swimming was not possible to allocate. In 1491, Columbus in Seville once again met with Ferdinand and Isabella, but no offefficient - money and help did not give. In January 1492 Granada Pala, Spain completed the war, and Columbus had the opportunity to almost immediately achieve the organization of the expedition, but he again failed in character! Sailors' requirements were exorbitant: appointment by the vice-king of all new lands, the title of "Chief Admiral Sea Ocean" and a lot of money. The king refused.

Saved the position of Queen Isabella, who dissuaded Columbus from emigration to France and threatened to lay her family jewels for organizing an expedition. As a result, an enterprise was drawn up, according to which one ship gave the state, one - the Columbus himself, and one - Martin Alonso Pinson, the furnished "Pintu". In addition, this magnate lent the money by Columbus, which under the contract was supposed to take on the eighth of the expeditions on the expedition.

On April 30, 1492, the king officially complained Christopher Columbus title "Don", making it a nobleman, and also confirmed all the requirements of the audacious seaman, up to the title of the vice-king of all newly open lands and transfer it to inheritance.


Expeditions of Christopher Columbus

Columba's first expedition took place on August 3, 1492 And there was a small one - about 90 people on three ships - "Santa Marie", "Pint" and "Nier", went to the path from Palos. Having reached the Canary Islands, she turned to the West, on a small diagonal crossed the Atlantic, on the way discovered Sargasso Sea. The first seen land was one of the islands of the Bahamas archipelago, named San Salvador. Columbus landed on it October 12, 1492 and this day became the official date of opening of America.

It is noteworthy that until 1986, geographers and historians did not know exactly what of the islands was opened by Columbus first while Geographic J. Jajj did not prove that it was the island of Saman. In the following days, Columbus opened another number of Bahamas, and on October 28, it was born to the coast of Cuba. On December 6, he saw Haiti and moved along northern Beach. There, December 25, Santa Maria sat on the reef, although the crew was able to save.

It was after the crash "Santa Mary", when the sailors had to be signed on the remaining courts, Columbus ordered instead of the beds to install a hammock for sailors, spilling this idea of \u200b\u200bthe natives. So managed to compactly post more peopleAnd the way the way has passed so much that he went into oblivion only the century ago.

In March 1493, the remaining vessels returned to Castile. They brought a little gold, several natives, wonderful plants and bird feathers. Columbus said he opened Western India. After reading the first expedition of Cook, curious can compare the success of Columbus and James Cook on the steps of their early quarry. The difference between these expeditions is 275 years old!

The second expedition went on the road in the same 1493. Columbus headed her already in the rank of Admiral and the vice-king of all open lands. It was a grand enterprise in which 17 large vessels and more than 2,000 people participated, among whom were priests, and officials, as well as lawyers, artisans and soldiers. In November 1493, Dominica was opened, Guadeloupe and Antilles. In 1494, the expedition examined the Islands of Haiti, Cuba, Hoispen and Jamaica, but there was very little gold there.

In the spring of 1496, Columbus went home, completing the journey on June 11th. This expedition opened the path of colonization, after it, settles, priests and criminals began to send to new lands, which were the cheapest way to settle new colonies.


The third expedition of Columbus began in 1498. It consisted of only six vessels and was exclusively research. On July 31, he opened Trinidad, found the bay of the Paria, discovered the mouth of the Orinoco and the Paria Peninsula, finally coming to the continent. Choking a little further Columbus, in the rich lands of South America invaded the conquerors of Ernan Cortez and Claudio Pizarro. On August 15, Margarita Island was opened, after which the navigator arrived at Haiti, where the colony of Spaniards had already acted.

In 1500, Columbus on denunciation arrested and sent to Castile. However, there he promised not very long, but retained his shacks for life. Having received freedom, Columbus was still deprived of most privileges and most of the wealth. So, he no longer became the vice-emperor, and it was the most important disappointment of the final part of the life of the navigator. From the third expedition, Columbus experienced disappointment, but it remained alive, but the third expedition of Cook became the last one for the traveler.

The fourth expedition began in 1502 and was carried out only on four ships. On June 15, he went to the Martinique traverse, and on July 30, he entered the Honduran Bay, where he came into contact with the representatives of the Mayan state. In 1502-1503, Columbus carefully examined the shores of Central America in search of a cherished passage to the West, because America's fabulous wealth has not yet been discovered and everyone has been craving to get to India. On June 25, 1503, Columbus was crashed near Jamaica, and was saved only a year later. In Castile, the navigator fell on November 7, 1504, seriously ill and upset failures. On this, his epic ended. Without finding a cherished passage to India, remaining without rights and money, Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid on May 20, 1506. His merits were assessed much later, after a century, and for his era, he was just one of the navigators traveling to distant countries.


Character of Christopher Columbus

Great people do not have a simple character. This can be said about Columbus, and this is exactly what has become the cause of his collapse at the end of the life path. Christopher Columbus was a passionate dreamer, the fan of his idea and the goals he served all his life. At the same time, historians and contemporaries characterize him as an amicant, uniformly powerful person who dreamed of others all his life. Unlimited desires did not allow him to stay on the top of wealth and knowledge, but he still lived an outstanding life, making outstanding acts!

Tragedy of Christopher Columbus

If you look deeper, you can understand that I died Columbus an unhappy person. He did not get to the fabulously rich in India, and this is exactly what it was, not the opening of the new continent, was his goal and a dream. He did not even understand what he opened, and for the first time they saw the continents received the name of a completely different person - Amerigo Vespucci, who simply extended the paths of the paths of the trails. In fact, America was opened by Normans many more centuries to him, so that the navigator did not become the first. He reached a lot, and at the same time did not reach anything. And this is his tragedy.

The name of Columbus is called ...

Columbus forever remained in the history and geography of all continents and most countries. In addition to the streets, numerous monuments, squares and even asteroid, his name is called a whole state in South America, highest mountain Colombia, the Federal District in the United States and the province in Canada, the city and province in Panama in the Zone of the Panama Canal Colon, the Department in Honduras and many other things, meaningful geographical objects.

What gave the world of the discovery of Columbus?

First of all, it should be noted that it was Columbus who showed the way to those people who for a century after him destroyed the original cultures of South and Central America, turning the history of the continents to the other side.

Europe discovery gave the influx of a huge mass of gold and silver, so that the center of civilization moved there from the east. Europe began to develop, its industry and science grew, increased the population and its quality of life, and not only due to the flow of gold, which has become significantly cheaper, but also due to the importation of new fertile plant crops from America.

Spanish navigator of Italian origin Christopher Columbus - a cult figure in world history and navigation. The discoveries made by him changed the ideas of scientists about geography, the planet, contributed to the beginning of the Great Epoch geographic discoveries. The consequences of the waters of Columbus became the establishment of trade between Europe and Asia, the opening of new cultures and peoples, the beginning of the colonial policy of European states, the spread of the power of Spain outside the Iberian Peninsula.

The origin of Columbus

The navigator was born on October 1, 1451 in Genoa in the family of Dominico Colombo and Suzanne Fontanarossa. The father of Christopher was the keeper of the city gate, and also engaged in weaving and clouded business. In Genoa, a house was preserved where Columbus was born and a senior Columbus worked for a long time.

Historians believe that the pedigree for the navigator is much more extensive than it appears at first glance. Some scientists rank Columbus to the Spaniards or Italians, others - to the Portuguese, the third to the Greeks. There is even a version that the Columbus family has a Jewish roots. Such conclusions of historians are made on the basis of various sources and memories of contemporaries, there are no accurate confirmations of this or that version. To establish exactly who by nationality was Columbus, until it seems possible. He wrote perfectly and spoke in Spanish, while the dialect was clearly heard, which is in the inhabitants of Portugal. Known Christopher Latin, Italian, Greek.

A family

Columbus had four brothers with whom he did, because he was the most eldest child in the family. No special education for the navigator was not. Having completed the main training, he began to travel a lot on shopping ships. In the mid-1470s. I got to Portugal, where I decided to start my own business. Columbus was engaged with her brother Bartolome cartography, which at that time actively developed.

In Portugal, he married Felipe Monis de Palasetrello, who was the daughter of the governor of this country. Wedding took place in 1479, after a year their son was born, which Diego called. Columbus transported his wife to Genoa, and continued to travel further. Finally, he "allowed" the roots in Spain, finds a job in the monastery, turns an affair with another woman. And at the same time he comes to the idea that America needs to be found. It is not exactly established when Dona Felipa died. Most likely, death came to her after the Columbus fell to America. On the other hand, the wife of the navigator died to his first navigation.

The second spouse Columbus became Beatris Enriches de Aran. In this marriage, the son was also born, who received the name Fernando. Admiral died in 1506 in the Spanish city of Villadolid. His health was undermined by numerous swimming, viruses and unfamiliar diseases, which he picked up on the open islands. In addition, he was unsuccessfully trying to achieve inheritance rights for himself and his children for some open territories.

Personal qualities

Columbus was rather religious, all his life believed in conducting various omen. At the same time, the navigator was practical, suspicious, loved gold and wealth, reacted painfully to criticism. A sharp mind, wide knowledge in various spheres and the gift of conviction helped him to seek what he wanted. In particular, H. Columbus was able to eloquently prove to the runers of Spain that the financing of his expedition would bring them glory and will make Spain a great marine power.

Expeditions

By the end of the 15th century. People have already accumulated sufficient knowledge so as not to believe the version about the plane of the Earth. Columbus read a lot of antique essays, where it was said that the planet was shag-like. Most likely, the project of the Maritime Company on the opening of the road to India ripe gradually. H. Columbus made calculations based on incorrect calculations made at 15 V.

For the first time, the navigator spoke about the expedition to India in 1485, and with this idea went to the Portuguese king. But at the court he was refused, and he decided to move to Castile. Here, merchants and bankers from Andalusia helped organize a trip to distant countries.

At the same time, the Spanish rulers of Isabella and Ferdinand gave consent to the financing of swimming in India. The first expedition lasted from 1492 to 1493. In 1492, three Karavellah - Ninia, Pint and Santa Maria, who had 90 crews and assistants of Columbus came from the city of Palos. During the first navigation were open:

  • Island of Samana.
  • Sargasso Sea.
  • Bahamas.
  • Cuba and her northeastern coast.
  • Haiti - Columbus passed along the northern shore.

The head of the Vatican after the discoveries made by Columbus, spent the so-called demarcation line in the Atlantic Ocean - Papal Meridian. Thus, various vectors of the foreign policy of Portugal and Spain were indicated, which concerned the discovery of new lands. The Spanish rulers appropriated by the navigator the post of Admiral and the Vice-King of Open Territories, and agreed to allocate funds for the second navigation. It lasts from 1493 to 1496, and the quantitative characteristics differed from the first. First of all, 17 ships were subordinate to the admiral. Secondly, the number of crew reached 2.5 thousand people.

The expedition examined Haiti, where a military campaign was held to search for gold, as well as open:

  • Islands - Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic, Small Antilles, Porates-Rico, Jamaica, Hoisitud.
  • South Coast of Cuba and Haiti.

After a second dressing, Columbus reported to Spain's state orders and argued that he found a new way to Asia. New lands were proclaimed by the property of the Spanish crown. Their colonization began, in the territory and the islands transported criminals, since the free settlers did not want to work in colonies. The consequences were sad - destroyed, looted, and then destroyed the ancient empires of Aztecs, Inkov, Maya.

The third swimming lasted from 1498 to 1500, in which 6 ships went. Half of vessels led by Columbus passed through the Atlantic. As a result of this journey, the navigator went to the shores of South America, examining the Trinidad, the Bay and Paria Peninsula, the Orinoco River. By 1500, the expedition went to Haiti, here the admiral was arrested and sent to Castile. Here it was justified and freed, after which Columbus began to prepare for long wanderings. He did not give rest to the fact that during so many years, the Western way was found to India.

After scoring the money from Kings, Admiral hired four ships and went on the road. For 1502-1504. Under the Spanish crown, new lands switched. Among them is the island of Martinique, the Honduras Bay, the extended Coast of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea. In 1503, the ships were wreking at Jamaica. Columbus requested help from the island of Santo Domingo, which he saw only in a year. The repair of ships allowed Admiral to get into Castile, where he reached in November 1504. At this time, Christopher Columbus was sick.

Expeditions value

Earth, which, during swimming, from 1492 to 1504, was applied to the cards and scientists who flooded with him, contributed to the active development of geographic science, navigation, navigation. This gave impetus to the revision of views on the continents and the water space of the Earth. Scientific discoveries They went to the leg with the development of equipment and shipbuilding. Columbus was not the first to find the North American Continent for Europeans. Earlier in 8-9 centuries. This was done by Vikings. Only Magellan proved that H. Columbus found America, which was in a new part of the world, unfamiliar to 15 V. Residents of Europe. The expeditions of Columbus contributed to the change in European trade in which new directions appeared. Spain has become a monopolist of many goods and services by controlling the Atlantic trading paths. Thanks to the permanent discoveries, there were built new settlements in colonies based.

But not only positive results brought the discoveries of the admiral. There were many negative consequences, among whom it is worth noting:

  • Spanish colonization of land and creating new settlements there.
  • Cruel treatment of the Indians of South, Central and North America, as well as with native tribes open Islands. Many states were completely destroyed, and the population was exterminated.
  • Destruction of material and spiritual culture.
  • Maja, Inca and Aztec Empire Robbery.
  • The basics of the slave trade and transformation of the natives in slaves were laid.
  • The traditional relations of peoples on the islands in North and Central America were destroyed.

Who remembers about Columbus?

In different countries of the world, the memory of the admiral and the navigatel. In particular, in South America, the country is named by Colombia. There are province of the same name in the canal, river and county in the United States. The capital of the island state Sri Lanka is called Colombo.

Natural objects also assigned the name of Columbus, as well as administrative units. In particular, streets, cities, parks, squares and bridges in many states in the world.

The monument to the Indian Owner is in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwhich appeared in the city in the late 1880s.

About the navigation of Columbus films were removed, the series, they are told in documentary films. In addition, scientists constantly explore his life and activities, finding new documents about marine expeditions, actions in colonies, family.

Interesting facts of the biography of the navigator

  • Until the end of life believed that he went to eastern Bank Asia. In fact, Columbus landed at 15 thousand km from him, coming out to India.
  • For many years, the navigator persuaded Ferdinand and Isabella, proving them that the Ocean Expedition would bring Lavra Spain. The rulers did not believe a stranger, a cartographer and a merchant who was a stranger to Spanish society. The scientific men of that time said that the search for the Western way to India is an adventure. They simply did not understand how to swim to the west to open new lands. While from 1485 in Spain, Columbus came to the reception to Ferdinand and Isabella only after 6 years.
  • The first crew for ships that had to go on the road in 1492 were formed from criminals. No one else wanted to go to an unfamiliar swimming with a person whose idea did not believe scientists and who barely trusted the monarchs.
  • Sailors during the first expedition did not know exactly where they float, what distance they have to go. The crew perceived whales, albatrosses or algae as signs of approaching land. Columbus did not tell the sailors how many ships took place per day. People have not seen the Earth for a long time, so they covered their panic every day.
  • Columbus first saw in the world that the magnetic arrow began to deviate from its value. At that time, the sailors and scientists believed that the magnetic arrow should show strictly to the polar star, and it was more and more deviated from the desired direction. Nobody knew about this observation because Columbus was afraid that it would cause panic among the crew members.
  • The residents of open lands and the islands of the navigator called the Indians, the name had taken root and was used today.
  • Columbus to Europe brought new types of products, spices, horses and cows. No animals nor products were known on the continent. So Spain delivered potatoes, tomatoes, corn and grapes. Europeans quickly rated the benefit of animals and new cultures, which contributed to the establishment of a new trade exchange between Europe and America. This process began to call Columbus exchange.
  • The right to be called the birthplace of the navigator challenges 6 cities of Italy and Spain.
  • On the Bahamas Sailors and Admiral met the new culture that was popular with the natives. The new grass, which Columbus grabbed with him to Spain, was called tobacco.
  • Columbus had problems with monarchs due to the fact that he did not bring with swimming wealth, spices, spices and precious metals. Instead, an exotic fruit, plants, bird feathers were delivered from the banks of Cuba, Torch and Haiti.
  • The path to India was found in the life of Columbus, when in 1498. Vasco da Gama reached the shores of this country.

Interesting is the fate of the remains of Columbus, which from Spain transported to Haiti. When the Spaniards left the island, the ashes of the Great Marithener were transported to Havana, P from there to Santa Domingo, and then Seville. For a long time it was believed that the remains rest in cathedralBut genetic research has proven the opposite. It was found that the bones belong to another person aged 45 years. Columbus at the time of death was about 60 years. Where are the remains of the navigator now, none of the historians know.

Publications on the topic