Stanhope Johnson
Mr. Coble
World
12/17
Christopher Columbus 1494 Christopher Columbus wrote a letter to the king and queen of Spain around 1494. He gave the king a queen a description of what was going on and what he had found. He wrote this letter stating that there was riches and many land for colonies. He was telling them what they can do with this land that he had found. Take it, build a government, and he wanted more ships for his up coming voyages. The question is this document relevant to his voyages, yes, indeed they do. He wrote to the king and queen what they can do in this land that he had found. He was already planing there government, and how they were going to rule the land. He explained how they should have churches and start converting the indians. When the gold rush comes they should have the people who are getting the gold must have a license to retrieve some gold. He talks about governors and how there should be one on every island that he had discovered and how they were going to be in charge. He wanted to start these settlements and let them grow and then that would make Spain the greatest empire in the world because they would have the biggest land mass. He did do the mission for Spain but more for himself and it was his job to do this kind of adventuring. He wanted to make history and this document shows what he had discovered and his proposal to the king and queen of what he thought the colonies should be run and so on. This absolutely has to be apart of a the voyage with Christopher Columbus because it tells a little bit of what he saw, what he knows and what his plans were. He tells about all these riches and gold and how they can make the colonies work and survive and build communities. It gives an idea of what he thought and what he had believed should have happened, which for the most part did happen. He was a very bright man I assume by this letter to the king and queen and he explained his plans very well and the king and queen should have been pleased of Christopher for making all of that happen. With out this it would be like missing a piece of a puzzle. Questions with out full knowledge of what was going on. Christopher started his journey around 1492, I think, and it took him a couple years to discover this land mass and he was eventually a hero to Spain.
Without Christopher discovery of the Americas people would have come and settled in the Americas later than they did and he wouldn’t be famous.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Columbus had a very important task when he traveled to the new world. He was sent by the king and queen of Spain to discover new land. Columbus said, “The melody of the birds was so exquisite that one was never willing to part from the spot”(Columbus 62). Now Columbus’s journey was far different than Equiano's primarily because of the reason but we will be focusing on the other reasons primarily.…
- 632 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Although both Columbus and de Champlain had vested interests in the success of their explorations, Columbus was far more the mercenary. Columbus, an Italian, had first offered his services to Portugal, France, and England before finally getting the Spanish sovereigns King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel to grant him permission and funding for a voyage. (p.66). He was therefore indebted to his employers so he claimed, without reservation for Spain, both the lands and the natives he encountered. (p.68). Columbus may not have known the brutal Spanish conquests that were to swiftly follow his initial voyage but his letter laid the groundwork for a quick conquest. Columbus heightened interest in his discoveries by exaggerating some of his findings, especially the gold he said he found on the islands he explored. (p.68). Furthermore in describing Espanola, Columbus stated that it as the situation most convenient and in the best position for the mines of gold and for all trade. (p.71) In describing the natives he referred to them as incurably timid (p.70) and that they have no iron or steel or weapons, nor are they fitted to use them. In citing his relationship to the king of one of the islands, Columbus stated that even if the king were to grow hostile, he and his do not know what arms are. (p.72).…
- 477 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Columbus' and de Vaca's purposes to compose letters are quite divergent. Christopher Columbus' main objective in his Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage, was to list his unnoticed accomplishments, justly sufferings, and devotion in order for the monarchs to save him. He had his heart set on Ferdinand and Isabella's pity to obtain their permission to go to Rome and other places of pilgrimage. In Columbus' "Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage," Columbus had the intention to please his majesty by claiming his "[pure devotion which [he] has ever borne to the service of [his] Highnesses." He also states that the purpose of his expedition was not for his own good, and that "[he] did not sail upon this voyage to gain honor or wealth," but for his "true devotion and ready zeal" to serve his Highnesses. During his fourth voyage, Christopher endured many hazards, like imprisonment, which triggered him to compose a letter filled with his many accomplishments that he believes went unnoticed. Columbus had hopes that…
- 692 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Christopher Columbus’s expedition was highly influenced by the myth of St. Christopher. St. Christopher’s myth is telling a story of a man wanting to “become a servant of god”. This devout servant helping those to cross a river was once lead to carry the child of God without knowing it until the end. Columbus’s interpretation of the story only redefines everything he was doing for not only the church but for the Nation of Spain. Columbus didn’t know what to expect crossing the ocean but after he came along the new lands he must have seen himself as the deliverer of God’s messages. Just as St. Christopher delivered the child of God to a new side of the river in the myth Columbus brought forth what was the most important aspect in Spain’s…
- 787 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
He describes what the Spanish expeditions are doing to the Native Americans who live in the area. He also wrote about how the Natives used to live before the Spanish came. He describes their cruelty and how inhumane it is.…
- 3857 Words
- 16 Pages
Good Essays -
Christopher Columbus’s determination to keep an account of his voyage was to perform the embassy of Fernando and Isabella. He wanted to keep a journal from his departure until he arrived at the Indies. Columbus wanted to write down everything he and his men performed or saw every day. He intended to draw a nautical chart containing the several parts of the ocean and land. Also, he wanted to compose a book containing latitudes and longitudes. These reasons tell us that Columbus’s mission on this journey was to find a new route for other merchants to follow in order to get to the spice lands. He wanted to create an accurate map in his book to bring back for explorers to examine.…
- 460 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
1. According to Columbus, what is the primary reason for Spanish colonization in the New World? Does his letter hint at any other reason.(s)…
- 844 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
One of Christopher Columbus’s main goals that he wanted to achieve in his lifetime was to discover a trade route to the Indies. Although he knew he could achieve this goal he knew it would follow with obstacles and challenges he would have to face during this voyage. One of the main detriments that he came upon was the inability to restock food and water. Under those circumstances, he asked King Joao for help. King Joao denied his request and used the idea as his own, only to find out that it would fail for him in the end. Finally he convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to advance him the money for his voyage for food and supplies. As the voyage began other problems began to occur, the compass needle no longer pointed north, they had to persevere through the Sargasso sea that was filled with thick gulf weed, and the trade winds stopped and put the sailors in fear of no return home. These things didn’t stop Christopher Columbus he knew there was something to look forward to, so he encourage his crew members ensuring them that everything would be okay. After weeks without no sight land and many minds becoming week, there was a cry of joy and Columbus had spotted land, and they had reached the East Indies.…
- 956 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In 1471, the printing press was not known widely. About thirty years later, the invention spread and along with it was a letter (Doc. 2). Christopher Columbus wrote about his experience of inhabited islands he found in the letter and because of the printing press, his letter spread throughout Western Europe (Doc. 6). He wrote this to keep the king of Spain updated and to let the public know his findings. Columbus was a skilled voyager. He wanted to find new routes and to bring back goods. In…
- 632 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
This letter had a negative and cynical tone. It describes the lands in exhausted state and in destruction. “Of Espanola, Paria, and the other lands, I never think without weeping, I believed that their example would have been to the profit of others; on the contrary, they are in an exhausted state; although they are not dead, the infirmity is incurable or very extensive; let him who brought them to this state come now with the remedy if he can or if he knows it; in destruction, everyone is an adept”.(page 27)…
- 290 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
With trade routes such as the silk road blocked off, Europeans journeyed to the new world to find resources. Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, joyfully writes to Luis de Sant Angel about his findings on his journeys, which include gold, silver, spices, and cotton. These findings are the reasons for his traveling in the first place, the need to find resources. Hernan Cortes, in his letter to Carlos V, also mentions gold and silver. Again, showing the importance of resources. King Henry VII of England determinedly tells John Cabot of the need to…
- 586 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The skills and qualities required of Christopher Columbus in order for him to lead a safe and successful voyage to undiscovered and unexplored lands weighed heavily on him, as he was initially placed in a headship position in the course of the planning of the journey because he originated and entertained the idea of finding a passage to China through unmarked waters. With his assiduousness and persistence, his appeal and intelligence, he was able to convince the King and Queen of Spain to fund his trip. These issues, along with the fact that he had never been a captain on a ship, began the fulfillment of a dream built on nothing. These steps taken were the foundation of what would be a great hero and leader.…
- 802 Words
- 23 Pages
Good Essays -
Christopher Columbus, John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. Their depictions of the new world were seemingly different and each explorer possessed an ego that worked both as a strength and as a weakness to their determination of exploration. Each explorer seemed to use hyperbole and embellishment to glorify their own accomplishments. Columbus’ letters emotionally differ from the first to the fourth letter in almost a visually depressing manner. His first letter shows an explorer filled with an emotional high seeking to gain riches and fame, describing each illustrious detail of his experience as elaborate as possible. Words that seem to sell the newly discovered lands in such a depiction that would make his fame and rewards seem inevitable. This description is far different than his last letter which his words show an aged explorer seeking to save his reputation and seeking to just ride away in the sunset and live peacefully for the remainder of his life. It seems that he is taking a polite path in which to illustrate to the Monarchs the sacrifices that were made and the lives lost to achieve the goals of seeking the new world.…
- 337 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Cortes, the leader of the Spanish expedition, wrote some of the most popular documents which were published in Spain almost instantly and were read as the "official" story of the conquest of the new world (Schwartz 15). The main goal of the expedition was gold, and secondly to spread Catholicism to the newly discovered world. Cortes made many decisions which went against Spain's direct interests. When he wrote letters, they were to the king of Spain. In the reports he attempted to justify his actions and decisions, keeping everything about himself positive (Schwartz 15). He wrote in a way that would make him seem heroic and successful. While his writings did accomplish this, it was not always actually the case.…
- 787 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Letter to Ferdinand and Isabella Regarding the Fourth Voyage On July 7, 1503 Christopher Columbus wrote his final letter during his time that he was spending on the island of Jamaica. During the time, Christopher Columbus wrote his final letter to the king and queen of Spain, he felt like he should have been granted more opportunities to explore more islands. In this letter was also the expression to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella about coming home in order to receive treatment for his incurable sickness which he had sustained. He also needed more supplies for which he was running low on during his voyages. Since reading the fourth and final letter, it can be concluded that he was being a tad bit of selfish.…
- 366 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays