Christopher Columbus

Background

Christopher Columbus proposed his planned voyages to several kings and noblemen, seeking financial support, but was rejected each time. He finally got help from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. The explorer completed four round-trip voyages between Spain and the Americas, with each voyage sponsored by the Crown of Castille. These four voyages were completed between 1492 and 1504.

On his first voyage in 1492, Columbus discovered the Bahamas, previously called San Salvador. The land was inhabited by Indians, whom he claimed he could conquer with 50 men. Columbus also explored Cuba’s northeast coast and made his last stop in the Americas in 1493. He returned to Castille in early 1493 and soon departed for his second voyage with 17 ships and 1,500 men. Columbus stopped at an island he named Dominica before anchoring at Mariagalante. After a successful second voyage which featured the enslavement of indigenous people and shipment of over 500 enslaved people to Spain, Columbus returned to Spain. He left for his third voyage in May 1498 and explored Trinidad, Venezuela, and others. However, reports of his tyranny and incompetence reached King Ferdinand, and Columbus was jailed six weeks before his release. He resumed his fourth voyage in 1502, sailing to Central America. He explored Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras for two months. Columbus and his men got stranded in Jamaica before being rescued by the Spanish king in 1504. He returned to Sanlucar, Spain, in November.

Columbus suffered recurring illnesses that left him bedridden, temporarily blind, and feverish for months during his voyages. Columbus thought this illness to be gout, but modern scientists claim it is reactive arthritis. After unsuccessful pleas to the crown to defend his privileges, the explorer died on May 20, 1506. His remains lay in the Columbus Lighthouse. His two sons survived him.