Summary of the discovery of America

In 1492, the Italian navigator Christopher Columbus presented a project to Queen Isabel “the Catholic” of Spain, which would take across the Atlantic Ocean to reach China and India. He dreamt of doing a great deal with the riches of Asia. The Queen supported him and signed a contract called“Capitulation of Santa Fe” (April 17, 1492). Columbus prepared three ships (the Holy Mary, the Pinta and the girl) and 90 men.

The journey to the New World

On August 3 1492, Columbus sailed from the port of Palos. He headed west and on the morning of October 12th came to an island called Guanahani, and the name “San Salvador” (found in the Bahamas). In that place he found native Tahínos, but the admiral called them “Indians” believing that he had arrived in Asia. Then he came to the island of Cuba and called her “Jeanne”. Haiti and also called “Spanish”. On December 24th, the Holy Mary crashed into a reef and ran aground. With the fort was built Christmas tables where 40 men left. On January 2, 1493 began the return to Spain.

The background of the event that would end the Native American culture

– The Fall of Constántinopla (1453) in the hands of the Turks forced Europeans to seek new trade routes with the Far East (India and China).

– Portugal took the initiative and explored the edge of Africa. In 1448, Bartolomé Ruiz arrived at the end of Good Hope.

– The Italian Christopher Columbus prepared a project to reach Asia across the Atlantic Ocean. It was rejected by the king of Portugal, but found support in Queen Isabel the Catholic of Spain. With it he signed a contract called “Capitulation of Santa Fe” (April 17, 1492).

The Voyages of Christopher Columbus

On his first voyage (1492-1493) Columbus sailed from the Port of Palos on August 3, 1492. On October 12th he arrived from that same year to Guanahaní (San Salvador). It was an island in the Caribbean, but Columbus thought it was an island in Asia. Then he arrived in Cuba (Juana) and Santo Domingo (La Española). Here the NAO “Santa Maria” crashed, and with its wood the “Christmas” Pillbox was built. Columbus returned to Spain and informed the Kings that he had reached the islands of the Asian continent.

In its second (1496-1496), third (1498-1500) and fourth Voyage (1502-1504) Columbus explored more Caribbean islands and the shores of mainland (South America and Central America),without finding the riches of the Far East.

Death of Columbus

Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid (Spain) in 1506, not knowing that in his 4 trips he had reached the lands of a new continent (America). This was only known thanks to Américo Vespucio in 1507.

Today is celebrated on October 12th each year, the commemoration of this tragic event that ended the lives of millions of human beings native to the new continent. Practically, we stand on a soil full of blood, torture and all kinds of vexations to which our ancestors were subjected, by the colonizers.

It has been called “the day of the race” and is officially taught in history a decontextualized scenario, showing Columbus and the bloody invaders, as heroes who discovered us.

Adapted from resumendehistoria.com
Image: wikipedia.org