HISTORIAS Manuel Espejo

The Discovery of America

The discovery of America is often regarded as one of the most significant milestones in human history, a statement that holds undeniable merit. In this discussion, we will focus exclusively on Christopher Columbus's discovery of America, despite previous landings on the continent, in an effort to shed light on this monumental achievement.

Christopher Columbus, the driving force behind the European landing on the American continent, was an Italian explorer and navigator who had embarked on numerous journeys throughout his life. He was largely self-educated, with a particular emphasis on subjects such as geography, astronomy, and history.

Columbus, like many sailors of his era, was fueled by ambition. Since the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans had controlled trade with the Far East, monopolizing this lucrative route due to their territorial dominance over the Eastern Mediterranean. European merchants found themselves seeking alternative routes to the Far East, such as circumnavigating Africa by rounding the Cape of Good Hope.

Columbus was well aware of the Earth's round shape and the possibility of circumnavigation. His mathematical calculations led him to believe that by sailing westward across the "Ocean Sea," he could reach East Asia within a few weeks, securing immense wealth.

While Columbus's ideas were not entirely unfounded, his calculations proved to be inaccurate. He underestimated the vastness of the western route, failing to anticipate the presence of an entire continent in between.

Securing funding for his expedition was crucial, and this support could only come from the great European monarchs of his time. Initially, Columbus sought backing from the Portuguese king, but his efforts were fruitless. Eventually, he obtained sponsorship from the Spanish Crown, signing the Capitulationes de Santa Fe with the Catholic Monarchs of Spain (Ferdinand and Isabella). According to this agreement, Columbus would receive honours and riches if he succeeded in his venture.

Two days before the historic sighting of land on October 12, 1492, Columbus and his crew faced dire circumstances. Food and water were in short supply, and the living conditions aboard the expedition's ships were deplorable. Mutiny under such circumstances would not have been surprising, and the ships themselves were at risk of being lost at sea. The journey had become so grueling that it seemed death in the vast ocean was the only conceivable outcome. However, Columbus's luck prevailed, and instead of facing such a tragic fate, the American continent came into view.

Tragically, Christopher Columbus passed away in 1506 under the impression that the lands he had discovered for the Spanish Crown were part of the Asian continent. As a result, he referred to its inhabitants as "Indians," drawing a connection to the people of India.

This historical account yields several noteworthy conclusions:

Greed often serves as the driving force behind human endeavours. Columbus's voyage was not a selfless endeavour but rather driven by a quest for gold, honour, and wealth. Similarly, the Spanish Catholic Monarchs supported the expedition to expand their kingdom, establish new trade routes, secure additional sources of income, acquire slaves, and gain new subjects.
The human capacity for creating plans that diverge from reality is a recurring theme. Ambition can blind individuals to the harsh realities of their pursuits. Columbus and the sailors on his expedition were on the brink of disappearing into the vast ocean had they not chanced upon the American continent.
The boundaries of recklessness, heroism, courage, and greatness are often imprecise or nonexistent. Columbus's journey serves as a testament to the audacity and ambition of individuals willing to venture into the unknown, shaping history in the process.