Dailies frantz biography of christopher columbus
Although La Navidad did not survive, it marked the beginning of European presence in the Americas. Prior to his explorations, there was a prevailing belief that the Earth was flat, and many feared that sailing too far west would result in falling off the edge of the world. His voyages contributed to the production of new maps and charts, improved navigational techniques, and a greater understanding of global geography.
This expansion of geographical knowledge had far-reaching effects, paving the way for future explorers and navigators. His successful return to Europe and the reports of his discoveries captured the imagination of many individuals, including other explorers and monarchs seeking to expand their empires. Also Read: Accomplishments of John Cabot. His expeditions opened up direct trade routes between Europe and the Americas, bypassing the previously dominant overland routes through the Middle East.
The discovery of new lands and resources in the Americas sparked a surge in trade between the two continents. European merchants eagerly sought valuable commodities from the New World, such as gold, silver, tobacco, sugar, and exotic goods. This trade between Europe and the Americas led to economic growth, the establishment of trade networks, and the rise of powerful trading companies, ultimately shaping the development of global trade in the centuries that followed.
In , Congress declared the holiday would fall on the second Monday in October each year. As of , approximately 29 states no longer celebrate Columbus Day , and around cities have renamed it or replaced with the alternative Indigenous Peoples Day. One of the most notable cities to move away from celebrating Columbus Day in recent years is the state capital of Columbus, Ohio, which is named after the explorer.
In July , the city also removed a plus-foot metal statue of Columbus from the front of City Hall. The Biography.
Dailies frantz biography of christopher columbus
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Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain? Amelia Earhart. Charles Lindbergh. Barron Trump. Melania Trump. The 13 Most Memorable Inauguration Performances. Hunter Biden. Getty Images Artwork from depicts Christopher Columbus setting foot on land during his famous voyage in The statue was removed in Watch Next. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
As a teenager, Christopher went to sea, travelled extensively and eventually made Portugal his base. It was here that he initially attempted to gain royal patronage for a westward voyage to the Orient - his 'enterprise of the Indies'. When this failed, and appeals to the French and English courts were also rejected, Columbus found himself in Spain, still struggling to win backing for his project.
Ten weeks later, land was sighted. On 12 October, Columbus and a group of his men set foot on an island in what later became known as the Bahamas. Believing that they had reached the Indies, the newcomers dubbed the natives 'Indians'. Conditions were so bad that Spanish authorities had to send a new governor to take over. Meanwhile, the native Taino population, forced to search for gold and to work on plantations, was decimated within 60 years after Columbus landed, only a few hundred of what may have been , Taino were left on their island.
Christopher Columbus was arrested and returned to Spain in chains. In , cleared of the most serious charges but stripped of his noble titles, the aging Columbus persuaded the Spanish crown to pay for one last trip across the Atlantic. This time, Columbus made it all the way to Panama—just miles from the Pacific Ocean—where he had to abandon two of his four ships after damage from storms and hostile natives.
Empty-handed, the explorer returned to Spain, where he died in However, his journey kicked off centuries of exploration and exploitation on the American continents. The Columbian Exchange transferred people, animals, food and disease across cultures. Old World wheat became an American food staple. African coffee and Asian sugar cane became cash crops for Latin America, while American foods like corn, tomatoes and potatoes were introduced into European diets.
Today, Columbus has a controversial legacy —he is remembered as a daring and path-breaking explorer who transformed the New World, yet his actions also unleashed changes that would eventually devastate the native populations he and his fellow explorers encountered. Ten years after his voyage, Columbus, awaiting the gallows on criminal charges in a Caribbean prison, plotted a treacherous final voyage to restore his reputation.
You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States. Your Profile. Email Updates. The Voyages of Christopher Columbus: Timeline Columbus is born — Columbus sails to the Americas — Columbus returns to Hispaniola — Columbus seeks a strait to India — Columbus's last voyage Columbus dies. Watch now.