Chayma hilali biography of christopher columbus
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After his initial journey in 1492, Columbus was rewarded by the Spanish Crown with titles and a share of any riches discovered in the lands he explored. Christopher became an apprentice in his father’s wool weaving business, but he also studied mapmaking and sailing as well. He spent much of the last of his life writing letters to obtain the percentage of wealth overdue to be paid to him, and trying to re-attain his governorship status, but was continually denied both.
Although Columbus held back some of the worst excesses of his sailors, he took back human slaves and looted property from the indigenous people.
As part of the deal, the Spanish monarchy appointed Columbus Viceroy and Governor of the Indies in the island of Hispaniola. Together, these children contributed to Columbus's personal life story, reflecting both his ambitions as an explorer and the complexities of his family relationships.
However, in 1500, on the orders of the Spanish monarchy, Columbus was arrested and placed in chains. He was also frustrated with his lack of public recognition and seeming demotion in the eyes of the Spanish monarchs. Should he be remembered as a great discoverer who brought European culture to a previously unknown world?
Columbus Search of Asia Filipa Perestrelo
The Spanish monarchs agreed to fund Columbus, partly on the Christian missionary efforts, but also hoping to gain an upper hand in the lucrative trade markets. All that was left to me and my brothers has been taken away and sold, even to the cloak that I wore, without hearing or trial, to my great dishonor.” – Lettera Rarissima to the Sovereigns, Fourth Voyage (7 July 1503)
Columbus died in 1506, aged 54 from a heart attack related to reactive arthritis.
His estimates of the wealth he would find were vastly overstated, leading to dissatisfaction among his investors and the Crown. There were rumors from other sailors that Asia could be reached by sailing west.
Rather than sailing east, he hoped that sailing west would lead to countries like Japan and China.
To gain the necessary funding and support for his journeys, he approached the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. He lived off his modest earnings as he fought to restore his reputation, ultimately dying in relative obscurity and not as a wealthy man despite his monumental impact on world history.
Columbus' voyages prompted significant exchanges of culture and goods, now referred to as the Columbian Exchange, fundamentally altering global trade and interaction. In return, Columbus asked for and received the hereditary title "admiral of the ocean seas." Although Columbus did not discover any gold, his Spanish patrons financed three more voyages across the Atlantic Ocean over the next 12 years.
In particular, he became fascinated with Biblical prophecies and wrote his own ‘Book of Prophecies’ (1505).
Columbus' exploration came at a critical time of growing imperialism and economic competition between developing the nation states in Europe who were seeking wealth from the establishment of trade routes and colonies.
His adventurous spirit led him to attempt a daring voyage across the Atlantic, motivated by his desire to find a westward route to Asia, which he believed would provide quicker access to the lucrative spice markets of the East. Those who stood against Columbus would later use this as an argument against him. Exotic goods such as spices, ivory, silk, and gems were popular items of trade.