What Were You Looking for, Christopher Columbus?

In 1492 Columbus and his crew sailed away from Spain in search of fame and riches. Five weeks later they landed on San Salvador, an island of North America. We remember Columbus’s journey each year during the Columbus Day holiday. On this holiday some people choose to remember Native Americans. Others choose to remember Columbus’s first journey to the Americas. But Columbus wasn’t looking for the Americas at all! Just what was Columbus hoping to find on his journey?

These replicas of Columbus's ships sailed on the 500th anniversary of his first voyage.

In the 1400s, traders from the continent of Europe found a way to make lots of money. Goods like silk and spices were for sale in markets on the continent of Asia, to the east. These goods were not available in Europe but many Europeans wanted them. The traders journeyed thousands of miles to buy these goods and then sell them back home.

Even though there was a lot of money to make on each trip, it took years and was very dangerous. Traders traveled by land to reach the markets of Asia. Their journey took them through deserts. They were often attacked by thieves. They wanted to find a faster and safer way to Asia. Soon, explorers began looking for a way to get there by sea.

Christopher Columbus was one of these explorers. Many people thought sailing south and east around Africa was the easiest way to reach Asia. Columbus had a different idea. He believed Asia could be reached quickly by sailing west, across the Atlantic Ocean.

This maps shows Columbus's journies to the New World.

Columbus’s first journey was a risk. Most explorers thought it was too dangerous to sail west. But Columbus was willing to take the risk because he wanted to find a new way to Asia. When Columbus landed on San Salvador he thought he had found it. In fact, he always believed that North and South America were part of Asia. Although he didn’t find what he was looking for, his journey led the way for other explorers who followed him to the New World.

TLX News Journal History Activity:

Imagine you are Christopher Columbus. You are preparing for your long journey across the ocean. Think about what items you will need to take with you. Create a list of things you will need to survive your journey.