History of Christopher Columbus

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History of Christopher Columbus

• By Nancy Lawson

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Columbus Early Life

• He was born in Genoa, Italy.
• His parents were weavers and taught him their
  trade.
• He spent his childhood on the wharves listening
  to the stories of sailors who had been to sea.

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Reasons for the Voyage

• He had read about Marco Polo who had traveled the
  eastward route 200 years earlier.
• The earth was known to be round and he wanted to
  make a quicker voyage to the east by going west.

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Preparations for Voyage

• Queen Isabella was convinced by Luis de
  Santangel, a powerful official of the Spanish
  court, to help Columbus with his journey.
• He was given, by royal order, two tiny caravels,
  the Nina and the Pinta, and a small ship, or nao,
  the Santa Maria, chartered by Columbus himself.

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Problems before the Voyage

• The townspeople earned their living as sailors
  and fishermen, but the sailors of Palos wanted no
  part of Columbus voyage.
• Martin Alonso Pinzon, who was one of the smartest
  sea captains in that part of Spain, agreed to go
  along with Columbus scheme.
• Queen Isabella offered a cash reward to the first
  sailor to spot land.

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The Voyage

• The voyage began August 3, 1492.
• Three days later, the Pintas rudder broke,
  making it impossible to steer.
• Columbus stayed on the Canary Islands for five
  weeks, trying to find another ship.
• As they passed the island of Ferro, they had
  reached the end of the world and were headed
  for the Sea of Darkness.

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The Voyage Continues

• On the open ocean, Columbus picked up the trade
  wind, always blowing from the northeast.
• They traveled 1,200 miles in 10 days.
• On October 10, two days from land, the men
  demanded they turn back.
• He reminded them of the rewards offered, and
  mutiny was staved off.

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The Voyage Ends

• At 2 a.m. on October 12, 1492, Rodrigo de Triana,
  a sailor on the Pinta, cried out from his place
  atop the forecastle Tierra! Tierra! Land!
• The Queen of Spains reward for the first man to
  sight land went to Columbus--he said he had seen
  a light four hours before Rodrigo de Triana
  yelled Land!

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Columbus Coat of Arms

• Columbus coat of arms , made in 1502, pictures a
  group of islands, signifying his discovery of
  America.
• The motto was Columbus found the New World for
  Spain.

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For More Information

• http//www.mariner.org/age/columbus.html
• http//www.mariner.org/age/firstvoyage.html
• http//metalab.unc.edu/expo/1492.exhibit/c-Columbu
  s/columbus.html
• http//www.mariner.org/age/histvocab.html