Columbus’ Great Adventure Into the Unknown…

What Influenced Columbus? he grew up in Italy during the Renaissance his experience as a sailor and captain desire to obtain Asian products without going through the Muslims of the Middle East

What Columbus Wanted to “discover” a westward travel route to Asia wealth and fortune fame and recognition

What Columbus Demanded to receive 10% of all profits from all voyages…forever… to be called “Admiral of the Ocean Seas” to be the governor of any land he “found” to be knighted by the king and queen and called “Sir Columbus”

Why Ferdy & Issy Agreed.. 1492 was a critical year in Spanish history: Ferdinand & Isabella had beaten the Moors (Muslims) out of Spain All non-Catholics were expelled from Spain IF Columbus found something, Spain might become incredibly wealthy

What Columbus Knew the world was round there were no “sea monsters” winds off Africa blew to the west winds near England blew to the east

Columbus’ Big Idea sail south toward Africa catch the easterly winds to Asia “easterly” winds blow west… ASIA EUROPE AFRICA

Columbus’ Big Idea, con’t find India, China, and Japan (a.k.a. the “Indies”) trade as much as possible JAPAN CHINA INDIA

Columbus’ Big Idea,con’t sail north past Japan catch the westerly winds back to Europe “westerly” winds blow east… ASIA EUROPE AFRICA

What Columbus Did Not Know the actual size of the earth the true distance to the next continent that the Americas were in the way

Hazards of Sea Travel weather food and water illness and disease navigational issues quality of ships and sailors lack of technology pirates and mutineers

Columbus’ Fleet: Santa Maria

Columbus’ Fleet: Santa Maria 75 ft long, 25 ft wide, round-hulled “nao” crew: 39-40 men speed: 4-8 knots/hour displacement: 100 tons owner: Juan de la Cosa, master captain: Christopher Columbus

Columbus’ Fleet: Pinta

Columbus’ Fleet: Pinta 50 feet long, sleek caravel crew: 26 men speed: 4-8 knots/hour displacement: 70 tons owner: Cristobal Quintero captain: Martin Pinzon

Columbus’ Fleet: Nina

Columbus’ Fleet: Nina 50 feet long, sleek caravel crew: 20 men speed: 4-8 knots/hour displacement: 60 ton owner: Juan Nino, master captain: Vicente Pinzon

Columbus’ Fleet:

Columbus’ Great Adventure