Q: Tell me about your career.
A: Hello, I am Christopher Columbus. I was born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy. Since I was young, I have wanted to pursue a career in exploration and discovery, and that is what I am best at today. I have worked very hard to become a well-educated explorer, studying math, science, astrology, philosophy, charting, world languages, and the Bible.
Q: Why did you set out on your First Voyage from Spain?
A: I left Spain traveling West in 1492 with high hopes of finding a new trade route to Chinese markets. I was also hoping to find new lands in the unexplored oceans. People of Spain also had hopes of me returning with new, never before-seen goods from China and any new lands I discovered along my journey.
Q: How did you fund your First Voyage?
A: I spent many, many years trying to provide enough funds for this voyage that could be revolutionary. My original proposals were:
-3 ships to sail west
-control of any lands I find
-1 year
-approximate travel distance of only about 2,400 miles
I proposed those conditions to the King of Portugal in 1485, and in the 7 years following that first proposal, my ideas were rejected again and again. Finally in 1489, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand II of Spain took serious consideration in my plan. With a few changes to my proposals, they finally granted me permission and all my needed funds in 1492.
Q: What did you discover on your First Voyage?
A: I left Spain on August 3rd, 1492 to sail west. I needed three ships for my journey: the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria. I also had two commanders on either ship that I was not aboard at any given time. The first new land we discovered I named San Salvador. San Salvador was next to many other smaller islands, which are known as the Bahamas today. Next, we discovered what is now Cuba. We thought this was China at first, but were disappointed when we could not locate the Emperor. In Cuba, we also picked up on smoking tobacco. Third and lastly, we made landfall at Hispaniola. At Hispaniola, two of our boats and many of our sailors were left to settle. I returned to Spain with my ships on March 4th, 1493.
Q: Why was this voyage important?
A: My First Voyage, although we did not succeed in finding a new trade route with China, had major importance. It broadened the world of exploration and inspired many new young explorers to try their luck. My voyage also solidified that there are new, undiscovered lands out there, as well as native people that we have no knowledge of. This voyage also had obvious importance because of the three new present day lands discovered.
Thank you so much Christopher Columbus!
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