Early Life
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. He was always interested in sailing and exploring. He was shipwrecked off the coast of Portugal and made his way ashore to Sagres in Spain, where he lived for nine years at a navigation school. Columbus believed that the Earth was round. He believed he could reach the Far East by sailing west.
The Voyage
Columbus attempted to receive sponsorship by rulers, such as the King of England. However, they all refused. Eventually, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to sponsor his voyage. They agreed because they were threatened by the success of Portugal. They gave him 3 ships called the Pinta, the Nina and the Santa Maria. Columbus recruited 80 men. The voyage set sail on August 3, 1492. When passing the Canary islands, they stopped to get some fresh supplies. Sometimes, the crew got scared that they would never return home. Columbus lied and told them they had travelled much shorter distances than they actually had. They finally spotted land on October 12, 1492. Columbus was sure he had reached India so he called the inhabitants Indians. In fact, he had actually found the American continent.
Return to Spain and Later Life
He returned to Spain in early 1493. He was given a hero's welcome. He gave the King and Queen native people as slaves, exotic fruit, parrots and gold. He was appointed governor of their new territory. Columbus mistreated the native people, selling them into slavery and torturing and killing many. When he was complained about for his poor leadership and brutality, he was removed as governor in 1499. As more people began to travel to the New World, it became clear that Columbus had not reached India, but a completely different continent. He died in 1506, still believing he had found his way to the East.