In the 1400s Geographers agreed that the earth was round; however, they were not sure what the diameter of the earth is. Sailers could see the curvature of the earth. Sailers could see the mast of an oncoming vessel rise over the horizon before the ship could be seen. Yes, the Earth is round like a ball. There is not an edge to sail over.

European economies were enhanced by trading goods with India and China. The “Silk Road” was an overland route through the Mideast and Asia that was cut off with the rise of the Muslim Ottoman Empire. The Portuguese reached India by going around Africa, a very long and treacherous voyage.

Christopher Columbus was born in Italy. His family was comprised of businessmen and traders. Christopher was a very young boy when he learned how to sail and had a career as a trader. Christopher was well read in geography, history, and science.

Columbus was compelled to look for a new way of reaching the Indies. He thought that by crossing the Atlantic it may be possible to get to Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean regardless of the fact that people of the time thought this was a dangerous and impossible task.

Christopher Columbus could not fund a venture like this without financial help. His requests for funding were turned down by all the major trading companies and countries. France and England thought it would be too much of a risk. He then approached Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain. At first, they were not interested in funding his expedition; however, Isabella concluded that the possibilities of profit may be worth the investment and decided to take a chance.

Christopher Columbus’s dream of finding the route to India seemed to finally be achieved on October 12,1492 when he landed in the Bahamas. Christopher believed that he had landed in India. He named the indigenous people Indians.

Columbus returned about a year later with significantly more men. He continued exploring the East coast of South America continuing to believe that he had found the shorter and safer route to India.

This “new world” provided goods unknown in Europe. In turn European goods, unknown to the natives, were traded. This spurred an increase in trade with many other European nations who followed the success of Spain in trading goods in a New World, the Americas.

Columbus “discovery” of North and South America is undoubtedly one of the most important achievements in our history. His discoveries profoundly impacted the cultures and economies of both the new and the old world.

Christopher Columbus was not the first explorer to find the Americas. Lief Erickson, a Viking, was the first to set foot on this continent about 500 years ago. Archeologists uncovered a settlement in Newfoundland In 1960. It is estimated that the settlement was inhabited in 1010 AD.

The achievements of the Vikings are remarkable. The achievements of Columbus changed the world forever.

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