1.1 Spanish exploration

What did most people in 1490 know?

Most people in 1490 knew that the world was round. Astronomers, sailors, explorers and even the Catholic Church, believed that this was so.

How were maps made in the 15th century?

Men drew maps based on the assumption that the world was round , even though no one had yet sailed right round the globe. Most of Europe was known, measured and mapped. In order to chart more distant lands, map-makers used the information gained from navigators, travellers and merchants.

What was happening at the end of the 15th century in the ports of southern Europe?

Towards the end of the 15th century, the ports of southern Europe must have been buzzing with excitement. Merchants and explorers returned with information about trade routes; claims about riches to be found; and stories about monsters to be defeated and dangers to be avoided.

What was so important to be found regarding trade with the far foreign lands? And why was this?

Uppermost in people's minds would have been the challenge of finding a sea route to the East Indies. The spice trade with those islands was well-established and extremely profitable. However, the overland route was becoming increasingly dangerous as attacks from bandits became more and more frequent.

What did the Portuguese and the Spanish each do regarding finding a sea route to the East Indies?

· The Portuguese had sailed south down the west coast of Africa and had almost reached the Cape of Good Hope. It was possible that, if this exploration continued, a sea route to the East Indies would be found by sailing east.

· The Spanish had rediscovered the Canary Islands, and the Portuguese had discovered Madeira and the Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe there was a chain of islands to be discovered, stretching across the Atlantic Ocean. Then, an island-hopping route could be found to the East Indies by travelling west.

Who was also involved in the risk for finding a sea route to the East Indies, and why?

There was a great deal to excite young men seeking adventure. The rewards would be high, but so were the risks. Ready to take risks, too, were the men with money. These were the bankers, wealthy merchants and agents of the European monarchs, who were always ready to back schemes that would make a profit. They were be trying to judge if there was a plan to find a sea route to the East Indies that was likely to succeed, and on which, therefore, it was worth them risking their money.

What was a big factor in every-day life of people in the 15th and 16th centuries?

Religion dominated the lives of people living in the 15th and 16th centuries. Christianity was the major religion in Europe. Christians were expected to go to church regularly and follow the rites and rules of the Catholic Church, led by the pope in Rome.

What was special about the Catholic Church and what made it so influential?

The Church was, however, more than just a religious organisation: it was also a political one. Monarchs going to war would ask for the blessing of the pope in order to justify their territorial invasions. They would claim to be fighting to defend the faith that they believed to be the only true one; though sometimes this was just an excuse to gain more land and power. Popes, too, encouraged and supported religious wars, and were frequently involved in the peace treaties that followed a war.

What were the main concerns of the Catholic Church in the second half of the 15th century?

· To defend Christendom* against outside threats

· To bring Christianity to any newly discovered countries- no matter what religion the people living there had previously held.

What did people believe was a main reason for exploration?

Many people believed that exploration and the discovery of new lands was part of a huge crusade* to spread Christianity throughout the world.

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Columbus was born around 1451 in Genoa, Italy- the son of a weaver.

Columbus worked as a seaman on many different voyages, with different captains, in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, and the coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1476, the ship on which he was working was attacked and sunk. Columbus survived by clinging on to wreckage and swimming about 8km to the Portuguese shore. He made his way to Lisbon, where eventually he settled, married and had a son, who was born in around 1480.

What was necessary for large projects in the 15th century?

Rich backers. These were people who could see the benefits of a particular project, believed in the abilities of the people who were leading it, and were prepared to risk money in sponsoring it

Why was setting up an expedition extremely expensive?

Ships had to be bought or leased; and crew members recruited and paid. This would be even more difficult- and therefore expensive- if the length of the voyage was uncertain because the exact geographical position of the destination was unknown.

What were the motives of merchants willing to sponsor potentially risky projects?

A wealthy merchant would see the advantage in finding a sea route to the East Indies: it would be more reliable than the current overload route and his profits would rise.

What were the motives of European merchants willing to sponsor potentially risky projects?

European monarchs- always worried about the state of their treasuries- would be interested in sponsoring a voyage of exploration that could bring them wealth and status.

Who did Columbus ask for sponsorship?

He asked European monarchs.

Columbus searches for a sponsor for his 'Enterprise of the Indies' ?

1484: Approaches King John II of Portugal- sponsorship denied

1486: Approaches King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain- sponsorship refused

1486-88: Sends representatives to King Charles VIII of France, and probably King Henry VII of England - sponsorship refused.

1491: Approaches King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain for the second time- sponsorship agreed.

Why did Ferdinand and Isabella agree to sponsor Columbus in 1491?

· Isabella's crusade to turn Spain into a completely Christian country had succeeded. By 1491, most Muslims and Jews had been forced out of Spain. Isabella was ready to continue crusading outside Spain, and was anxious to set up a great Christian mission in the East Indies.

· Isabella's personal priest and close friend, Juan Perez, was sympathetic to Columbus' enterprise, and provided him with lodgings and advice while he made his case to Isabella and Ferdinand.

· Spain would gain in international status if a Spanish-funded expedition found a sea route to the indies before Portugal.

· A successful voyage would bring riches to the Spanish treasury and prosperity to Spain's merchants.

What was the agreement between Columbus and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1491?

It was agreed that Columbus would be given the title of 'Grand Admiral of the Ocean Sea', would be appointed governor of the newly colonised lands, and would have the right to one tenth of the produce of any new territories he discovered.

When was Columbus first Voyage?

3 August 1492

Where do we get the information about Columbus' first journal?

Columbus' journal of his first voyage has been lost. However, it was seen, and extracts from it were copied by historian Bartolome de las Casas in the 1530s. He wrote the first biography of Columbus. Most of the information about Columbus' first voyage comes from these copies of Columbus' journal.

What were the first steps into getting ready to set sail? What royal law was issued into this? Who decided to help Columbus?

A royal decree required the Spanish port of Palos to provide Columbus with all the services he required. Two prominent citizens- the brothers Martin and Vincente Pinzon- worked with Columbus in finding and equipping the ships he needed.

How many ships did Columbus hire and what were they called?

They agreed on hiring three sound ships: two caravels*, the Nina and the Pinta, and a carrack*, the Santa Maria, which Columbus used as his flagship.

How many crew members were excited to join, and why?

Having found his ships, Columbus then set about looking for a crew. In this he was lucky. The Pinzon brothers, captains of the Nina and the Pinta, recruited most of the 80 or so men who were going to sail. Most of the men had experience of sailing to the Canaries. They were attracted, not only by the chance of adventure, but also by the promise of regular pay in an expedition that was backed by the Crown.

Who else did Columbus recruit and why?

Additionally, Columbus hired Luis de Torres, who knew Arabic and Hebrew, to act as an interpreter in case they met natives whose language no one else understood. Preparing to sail too, were a handful of royal officials.

What was unusual about who Columbus took on board?

They were neither soldiers nor any would-be settlers on board: this was a voyage of exploration and discovery. Unusually, for the time, there was no priest either.

What did Columbus take on board the ships for his first voyage?

The ships were equipped with the usual supplies that would have been taken on exploratory voyages along the coast of Africa. There were bells, beads and necklaces for trading; and food- such as salted cod, pickled and salted meats, bacon and biscuits, flour and olive oil and dry pulses (e.g. chick peas, lentils and beans)- sufficient for feeding the crews for a year. There would also have been plenty of wine and barrels of fresh water. Columbus also took a number of blank pages: he was intending to keep a journal to record the voyage- something which was most unusual for the time.

When did the ships first set out and to where? When did they arrive? What happened there? and finally, When did they leave officially for the 'East Indies'?

At 8 o’clock on the morning of 3 August 1492, the three ships slipped out of Palos harbour, heading for the Canaries- islands owned by Spain. They arrived six days later. There, repairs were made to the rudder of the Pinta, the Nina’s sails were re-rigged, and supplies of goats’ cheese were taken on board. Finally, on 6 September, the three ships set sail into the unknown.

What were the problems of the journey?

1. Portuguese rivalry

2. Sailor's fears

3. Possible mutiny

4. Quarrels about the route

What was the problem of Portuguese rivalry? How was this overcome?

· Portuguese rivalry: Shortly after setting out, Columbus had news from the captain of another ship that three Portuguese caravels were lurking in the eastern Atlantic, probably hoping to obstruct his voyage. Columbus made a slight adjustment to his route and so avoided them.

What was the problem of sailor's fears? How did Columbus overcome this?

· Sailor’s fears: Columbus realised that the sailors might become distressed the further they sailed from the Canaries without sighting land. On 10 September, after four days’ sailing, he began keeping two sets of logs: in one, he recorded accurately the distance they had sailed- and this he kept secret; in the other, he recorded a shorter distance- so as not to frighten his crew.

What was the problem of possible mutiny? What did Columbus do as a result?

· Possible mutiny: By 24 September, the crews became restless. None of the sailors had been out of sight of land for so long before. The crew seemed close to mutiny. Columbus persuaded the crews that they should carry on for another two weeks.

What was the problem of quarrels about the route? What happened as a result?

· Quarrels about the route: On 5 October, Columbus and Martin Pinzon quarrelled. Pinzon wanted the ships to make a sharp turn south, believing they would then be heading directly for Japan. Columbus, on the other hand, maintained that if they kept sailing straight ahead, they would reach China. Columbus won the argument.

What happened as they began sailing further and further? What happened on the 10th of October 1492?

Unrest between Columbus, the captains and the crews, grumbled on. They had now been sailing for six weeks without sight of land. Finally, on 10 October- partly from a sense of desperation, and partly to encourage the crews- Columbus promised to give a silk coat to the first man who sighted land. That day, both Columbus and Martin Pinzon sighted land-based birds, and other sailors spotted a branch with berries floating in the sea. That night there was a full moon. A sailor on the Pinta suddenly shouted: ‘land, land’. He had spotted a long, thin line of silver sand straight ahead.

What happened when land was finally sighted on the 11th of October 1492?

The next day, Columbus, with the captains of the Nina and the Pinta and a hand-picked crew, rowed ashore. There, they raised the standard of Ferdinand and Isabella- a green cross, embroidered with the initials F and Y (for Ysabella) topped with crowns. In doing this, they claimed the land for Spain.