Voyages of Columbus

Question 1

Columbus (background)

Answer 1

• born in Genoa in 1451
• experienced navigator
• sailed as far north as Iceland and down to Africa
• determined to go across the sea to Asia
• opening new route to wealthy east

Question 2

Support for the voyages

Answer 2

• Columbus was rejected by the Portuguese under King John II in 1484 because he was more interested in exploring the African route to the east and Columbus’ calculations were rejected as being flawed
• 2 years later in 1486, Columbus’ seemed sponsorship off Spain. Isabella and Ferdinand refused sponsorship, as they were preoccupied with the fight against he moors in southern Spain
• He approached them again in1491 and the Spanish crown agreed to a sponsorship, if the land he found had Spanish title over it and they could have 1/10 of the wealth he found

Question 3

Reasons for the Spanish support

Answer 3

• Conquest of Granada (1492) and rounding of the cape of good hope by the Portuguese
• Increase in Portuguese power
• Isabella’s crusade was successful and most jews and muslims were forced out of Spain
• Isabella’s personal priest, Juan Perez was sympathetic to Columbus and provided hum with lodgings and advice
• Desire to set up christian mission in the east
• Importance of spice trade

Question 4

Voyage of 1492

Answer 4

• The first voyage commenced from Palos in August 1492 with the expedition made up of The carrack, Santa Maria and the two caravels, Nina and Pinta
• They sailed southward towards the canary islands and stocked back up on food such as dry pulses, meat, fish and olive oil
• They continued westward for 5 weeks and the crew became increasing restless
• On October the 12th land was signed from the Pinta, it was an island called Guanahani, but Columbus renamed it San Salvador
• Cuba and Haiti were found on December after adverse winds carried the fleet Columbus named Hispaniola
• There Columbus found enough gold to save him from ridicule on his return
• With the help of an Indian chief he set up a stockade on the northern coast island called La Navidad
• Jan 16th 1493, Columbus left with only two ships after Santa Maria became grounded on a sandbank in December
• They returned to Palos on march 15th

Question 5

Problems of 1492 voyage

Answer 5

• did not find the quantities of gold he had anticipated
• one ship lost
• conflict with the ciguayos tribe (cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola)
• shortly after setting out poryueouese caravels were lurking to obstruct them
• fear of the sailors

Question 6

Voyage of 1493

Answer 6

• September 1493, Columbus left Cadiz with a larger fleet of 17 ships
• farmers, priests, soldiers and tradesmen went on the voyage
• They sailed again via Gomera in the canary islands, but took a more southerly route and reached Dominica on November 3rd
• November 23rd, they voyage entered Hispaniola
• An expedition to Navidad 4 days later found the stockade destroyed and the men dead
• More fortified places were built such as La Isabella, a city for the Queen, which was destroyed in a hurricane
• On feb 2nd, Antonia de Torres left La Isabla with 12 ships, gold, spices, parrots and captives
• Columbus led the Nina and two other ships to explore the Cuban coastline and search for gold in Jamaica - promising that Hispaniola was spoilt with riches
• Returned to Spain in march and ferdinand and Isabella established a treaty of tordesillas in 1494
• The following year he began a conquest of Hispaniola

Question 7

Third voyage of 1498

Answer 7

• Six ships left on May 30th 1498 with provisions fr the settlement of Hispaniola
• Columbus expected to find great prizes and establish the flag of the Spanish firmly in the east
• Discovered Trinidad
• Hispaniola was chaos when he returned
• Spanish treatment of native population had worsened which increased tension
• Peaceful Taions were driven to war because of constant Spanish demands for gold, food and women
• 1499: Francisco de Bodadilla to replan combs and conduct investigation into complaints against him, incompetent management and accusations of torture and brutality
• Columbus sent to Spain as prisoner and prohibited from visiting the islands he discovered

Question 8

Effects of voyages on native population

Answer 8

DISEASE

• small pox, measles, influenza
• natives had no immunity
• 500,000 to 60,000

SLAVERY

• 1495=550 natives as slaves
• thousands fled to the mountains
• Isabella horrified as wanted natives to become christians, not slaves
• spanish reluctant to do agricultural work

ENCOMIENDA SYSTEM

• aim to suppress rebellion and control natives
• natives hd to provide tributes to have spanish teach them christianity

REPARTIMIENTO

• controlled population
• forced natives to work with no pay
• contributed to decreased population due to poor conditions

MILITARY ACTION
-harsh action against resistance
contributed in the decline in population

TRIBUTE AND GOLD

• not enough gold
• harsh policy