Manifest DestinyChristopher Columbus & the New World

Christopher Columbus

(1451 - 1506)

Born in Italy

Name was Cristoforo Columbo (or close to it)

Christopher Columbus

Moved to Portugal

Sailed for Spain

King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella funded his famous 1492 expedition

Christopher Columbus

Enchanted by Marco Polo’s tales of riches found in Asia

August 8, 1492: Set sail from Spain

October 12, 1492: Landed on an island he called “San Salvador”

Called the Natives “Indians” because he thought he landed on island off the coast of India

Christopher ColumbusOver the next 12 years, made 3 more voyages to the New World

Always thought he was in India

Trying to Find Marco Polo’s legendary cities

Why?

European Explorers were trying to find a cheaper route to India (Asia)

Why?

Turkey (Ottoman Empire) raised their taxes

Wanted to find an all-water route to Asia

Why?People did NOT think the world was flat

Some already believed the Western Hemisphere existed, some didn’t

Why?

Options:

Sail South around Africa

Shoot straight west around the globe

Find water route through North America

The Northwest Passage

3-G’s

Explorers motivated by 3 major forces.

Gold

Glory

God

3-G’s

Gold

Trying to Make money

Spices, Silk

3-G’s

Glory

Have their name attached to something immortal

3-G’s

God

Claimed to be exploring in the name of God

Also a way to spread their religion

Manifest DestinyDestiny = fate

No control over outcome

Manifest = Obvious

Believed they had the God-given right to take over any land

Manifest DestinyVery Ethnocentric

Technical term for being prejudiced

Literally means putting your own ethnicity in the center

Eat monkey brains?

The New WorldVirginia

The center of British activity in the New World

named for Queen Elizabeth I (r.1558-1603)

Known as the Virgin Queen

The New WorldJamestown

Center of activity in VirginiA

Named for King James I of England (r.1603-1625)

Was also James VI of Scotland