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Christopher Columbus Research Paper

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Christopher Columbus Searching for the New World Many children in school have been taught that Christopher Columbus found America and that he was a hero when in reality he was a savage. There have been many important people in our history from scientists, mathematicians, and explorers and Christopher Columbus was one of them. He has always been known as one of the first and greatest explorers that discovered North America even though he never set foot on the North America continent. He rose from a small family to have great prestige and wealth. Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in the year 1451. His parents were Domenico Colombo and Susanna Fontanarossa. His father was third generation weaver who educated Columbus on how to skillfully …show more content…

He began going on expeditions that exposed him to the sea when the family suffered from financial distress. In 1470 the family relocated to Savona, Italy and Christopher accompanied by his brothers sailed the seas during numerous trading trips. The beginning of his journey of being in the sea began at the age of 14, doing anything from being a messenger, common sailor and even as a privateer. Between 1474-1745 Columbus made a trip to the island of Chios and on 1476 he sailed a Genoese merchantman. The commercial expedition was made up of 5 trading ships headed for England and it was the first time Columbus had the opportunity to leave the Mediterranean Sea and sail the Atlantic Ocean. He almost lost his life during the trip when the ship was attacked by French privateers near the coast of Portugal. Columbus had to desert the burning ship and swam to the Lisbon shore (Bushman 15). He then studied mathematics, cartography, navigation and astronomy. That is when his plan that was going to change the history of the world …show more content…

His mission was to explore unknown areas west of the Caribbean still trying to find a shortcut to Asia. He took four ships for the journey, Capitana, Gallega, Vizcaina and Santiago de Palos. After being arrested, he was no longer allowed in back Hispaniola. The settlers still remembered his cruel ways. The governor of Hispaniola was sending a fleet back to Spain of 28 ships. Columbus warned him about an approaching hurricane, but he did not listen. Only 4 ships survived the storm. Columbus explored parts of Central America, but weather conditions and termites destroyed parts of the ships. Columbus and the men were stranded for about a year in Jamaica before someone rescued them. The crew did all they could to survive in the meantime. They used remaining parts of the ships to build shelter and made peace with the natives that would bring them food. They returned to Spain late 1504. At the time of their return Columbus was devastated to find out that Queen Isabella was ill and dying. He knew that without her, he would not be able to travel again. Columbus was advanced in age and died in 1506 in

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