Goodbye, America! Triumph of Admiral Columbus

Let's say right away that the return of Christopher Columbus's expedition to Europe was no less exciting and full of adventures than his journey to New World.

Who helped Columbus figure out the way back to Europe? Higher powers or secret knowledge?

So, from the northern tip of Hispaniola "" went exactly north-northeast. And here the inexplicable begins again. Columbus’s choice of the route “there” is at least somewhat understandable: before Canary trade winds, from Canary constant westerly winds - the Admiral probably knew this. But how did he calculate the return route, which turned out to be not only the most optimal, but generally the only correct route from these places to Europe? Again it comes to mind that Columbus knew in advance the entire geography of the journey in detail. Where? Maybe he was led by aliens? ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)"> Or maybe he had cards either detailed descriptions from those who crossed the Atlantic Ocean two thousand years before him, on papyrus boats?After all, Thor Heyerdahl proved the possibility of such a voyage by sailing in 57 days on the papyrus boat “RA-2” from Morocco to Barbados along almost the same route as Columbus. And how did those ancient people come back?

Or maybe everything is much simpler, and Columbus had no other options? Let's try to reason: returning the same way meant sailing against the wind and current. No longer needed. Trying further south would turn out very well big circle, and there is a Portuguese zone of influence there. There was only one thing left: north-northeast, until we caught favorable winds and currents. About existence Golfstim, going to the shores Northern Europe Columbus may well have known. How did he know where the Gulf Stream starts? Where exactly do you need to “get into the flow”? Columbus also knew the latitude of Galicia (the northern province of Spain) and the Azores. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">And I also knew from the Portuguese sailors that at the latitude of the Azores it is easier to return to Portugal along the southern side. Apparently, Columbus simply rose to the 37th parallel and turned due west. That's all the arithmetic is.

The researchers made a rather interesting observation. Both on the way there and on the way back to Europe, Columbus’s ships passed through the territory of the famous “Bermuda Triangle”. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">
And not the slightest trouble happened to them! All the incidents happened outside of it, but in the magic triangle itself - nothing! So the Pinta broke down before the Canaries, the Santa Maria crashed beyond the southwestern edge of the triangle. A terrible storm and the second loss of “Pinta” occurred after leaving the eastern edge of the Bermuda Triangle. Nothing happened in the Bermuda Triangle itself! This is such mysticism. Willy-nilly, you will believe that Columbus was guided by some higher powers!

Both sailboats were moving very quickly. The tailwind from the west was helped by the tailwind of the Gulf Stream. Therefore, it was not possible to calculate the exact longitude of the location - no one knew the speed of the current. Some claimed that the Azores had already passed through, others, on the contrary. 11 February 1493 A terrible storm began, which lasted three days. As researchers write, the February winds in Europe in 1493 were monstrous, causing a lot of trouble, so that everything about the storm looks quite conclusive.

"Pinta" was lost again. Or was she taken away again by Martin A. Pinson?

On the night of 13 to 14 February 1493“Pinta” was lost again. The admiral had no choice but to remain calm and self-possessed. It is known that at the most critical moment, the Niña team made a vow to all together hold a thanksgiving prayer service and make a pilgrimage to holy places. The legend also says that the Admiral outlined the results of the expedition on parchment, caulked it in a barrel and threw it into the sea. Columbus believed in his luck, luck turned out to be true for Columbus. The storm subsided, Niña emerged from the hurricane, badly plucked, but undefeated, and on February 15 the sun came out. Realizing what it is sure sign favor towards him higher powers, Columbus sat down to write a report on the work done to his creditors - Luis de Santangel and Gabriel Sanchez.

How Columbus was greeted in the Azores

And on February 18, 1493 they saw land. It turned out to be one of the Azores islands. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">
"Nina" gave up her soul anchored near the island of Santa Maria - a Portuguese possession, which was in charge of a certain commandant named Joao de Castanheira. His duties included detaining all ships sailing in Portuguese waters without the permission of His Majesty King João of Portugal II . This damn commandant, of course, could not know who exactly he detained. And an order is an order, he lured part of the crew to land, gave a warm welcome, and then arrested 15 sailors from the Niña crew, who had just gone to the chapel for a thanksgiving service wearing only their shirts. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">
Then representatives of the commandant arrived on the ship, negotiations began, in which the Admiral showed extraordinary firmness and sent the commandant. Castanheira was confused by both the Admiral's behavior and his unusual titles - after all, Admiral of the Sea-Ocean! The episode with the prisoners was clearly fraught with political complications, and the commandant considered it best to release the detained sailors.

On February 24, 1493, Columbus set out to sea on the Niña and headed east. On February 26, a new storm began, which raged for a whole week, which on March 4, 1493 brought “Ninha” straight to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

Christopher Columbus and John II, King of Portugal

", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)"> So, exactly six months later, Columbus and his sailors saw the European shores again! And even though it was Portugal, it was still a continent! But why, one might ask, did Columbus enter the harbor of Lisbon? What prevented him from turning south to the Castilian shores, which were 2-3 days away? He didn’t know how he would be greeted here... And, according to unverified information, he owed money to local creditors in Lisbon... Columbus was probably confident in his “protection” in the form of the Catholic kings of Spain, which is why he entered the harbor so boldly. It is known that 14 recent years Portugal and Castile did not fight, but relations were strained, because the power and overseas appetites of Castile and Aragon were growing, and Portugal greatly interfered with this expansion. Or maybe the condition of the Niña was really so deplorable after 13,000 kilometers of travel and weathering storms that the commander did not hope to reach the ports of Andalusia on it? Be that as it may, Columbus entered the harbor of Lisbon. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">
According to legend, a large anti-submarine warship stood in Lisbon harbor under the command of the famous Portuguese navigator and pioneer. Dias at first attacked Columbus, but when he presented all his titles and powers, he considered it best to “move out.” Columbus immediately sent a message to the Portuguese King John II . ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)"> He was silent for three days, and finally, on March 8, an answer came from the king. João II invited the Admiral of the Sea-Ocean to his royal residence. There is documentary evidence of this meeting. When meeting His Majesty, Columbus first dispelled the king’s doubts, proving that he had not entered Portuguese waters. Then he told about all his discoveries. His Majesty King John II out of frustration he bit his elbows painfully. It’s not hard to guess that the king was simply furious to miss out on such prey! But he was the first to whom Columbus turned with his proposals. Now all these new lands are in the hands of competitors! Uhhhh!

The king is angry

Stabbed on the left

I would crush the nit

But he doesn’t show it!

However, the Admiral did not have to fear for his safety - the whole of Lisbon, including the intelligence of Castile, already knew about him. Obstruct Columbus for Juan II more expensive for yourself: there is no benefit, and relations with Castile can be ruined. And the king pretended to be very polite and released Christopher Dominikovich in peace.

The last push to the south

March 13, 1493 The Niña left Lisbon harbor and headed south. The next day she rounded Cape San Vicente and entered Castilian waters. And a day later, shortly before noon, the Admiral, with the morning tide, passed the outer shoal and, rising up the Rio Tinto, brought the ship to Palos. This was the 225th day of an unprecedented voyage. Friday, March 15, 1493 year.

The winner's triumph

Palos greeted the Admiral as a hero. The whole city crowded along the banks of the Rio Tinto, in the Church of St. George and in Rabida, thanksgiving masses were held to the sound of bells. ", BGCOLOR, "#ffffff", FONTCOLOR, "#333333", BORDERCOLOR, "Silver", WIDTH, "100%", FADEIN, 100, FADEOUT, 100)">
The court at this time was in Barcelona, ​​Columbus sent a messenger to the kings and soon received thank you letter and the highest invitation to appear your eyes are bright.

Isabella and Ferdinand They gave Christopher Columbus a gala reception in Barcelona. The admiral was even allowed to sit in the presence of the top officials of the state - an extraordinary mercy!

Then a banquet.

Everyone is happy.

Curtain.

Thus ended the unprecedented enterprise of Christopher Columbus, conceived by him around 1483 and successfully completed in the spring of 1493.

= = =

P.S.

Interesting historical fact:

The first people to whom the Admiral sent a report on the work done were not the king and queen, but the creditors and real sponsors of the expedition Luis de Santangel And Gabriel Sanchez. Columbus wrote a letter to them in advance (as early as February 15), immediately after the famous storm. It reached its recipients on March 25, 1943. It is interesting that these valiant knights of credit immediately duplicated the text of the letter in a printing house and sent it throughout Europe. For what? Why did they need to rush to notify potential competitors? Or did they thus inform their own - moneylenders, bankers, financiers, so that they could see what prospects were opening up?

P. P. S.

And again a mystical coincidence with “Pinta”.

With the same tide as the Niña, but a little later, the Pinta arrived in Palos. But the “Pinta” washed up on the northern Spanish shores in the Galicia region. Martin Alonso Pinzon, not knowing about the fate of the Niña and Columbus, immediately (with a special messenger) informed the kings of his arrival and asked for an audience. They refused, apparently already knowing that Columbus was alive, and said that they would only be pleased to accept a report from the Admiral.

Legend has it that having suffered such a fiasco, Martin Alonso Pinzon could not survive the Admiral’s triumph; apparently, he really wanted to become the first and only discoverer of America! Isn't it intentional? taxied during that storm to get ahead of Columbus and become the first? One way or another, Martin Alonso Pinzon did not want to participate in the ceremonial meeting with his fellow countrymen, secretly went ashore and three weeks later died of grief in his home. This is all strange, because M.A. Pinson was on good terms with the Admiral. Well, yes, rest in peace!

Monument to M.A. Pinson in Andalusia

Travelers of the Age of Great Geographical Discovery

Russian travelers and pioneers

Surely every schoolchild can easily answer the question of what Christopher Columbus discovered. Well, of course, America! However, let's think about whether this knowledge is not too scanty, because most of us have no idea where this famous discoverer came from, what his life path and in what era he lived.

This article is aimed at telling in detail about the discoveries of Christopher Columbus. In addition, the reader will receive unique opportunity get acquainted with interesting data and the chronology of events that took place several centuries ago.

What did the great navigator discover?

Christopher Columbus, a traveler now known to the entire planet, was originally an ordinary Spanish navigator who worked both on the ship and in the port and, in fact, was practically no different from the same always busy hard workers.

It was later, in 1492, that he would become a celebrity - the man who discovered America, the first European to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and visit the Caribbean Sea.

By the way, not everyone knows that it was Christopher Columbus who laid the foundation detailed research not only America itself, but also almost all nearby archipelagos.

Although here I would like to make an amendment. The Spanish navigator was far from the only traveler who set off to conquer unknown worlds. In fact, back in the Middle Ages, inquisitive Icelandic Vikings already visited America. But at that time widespread this information did not receive it, so the whole world believes that it was the expedition of Christopher Columbus that was able to popularize information about American lands and mark the beginning of the colonization of the entire continent by Europeans.

The story of Christopher Columbus. Secrets and mysteries of his biography

This man was and remains one of the most mysterious historical figures planets. Unfortunately, not many facts have been preserved telling about his origin and occupation before the first expedition. In those days, Christopher Columbus, let us briefly note, was practically a nobody, that is, he did not differ significantly from the ordinary average sailor, and therefore it is practically impossible to single him out from the crowd.

By the way, this is precisely why, lost in conjecture and trying to surprise the readership, historians have written hundreds of books about him. Almost all such manuscripts are filled with assumptions and unverified statements. But in fact, not even the original ship's log of Columbus's first expedition has survived.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 (according to another, unverified version - in 1446), between August 25 and October 31, in the Italian city of Genoa.

Today, a number of Spanish and Italian cities attribute to themselves the honor of being called the small homeland of the discoverer. As for his social status, all that is known is that Columbus’s family was not of noble origin at all; none of his ancestors were navigators.

Modern researchers believe that Columbus the Elder earned his living by hard work and was either a weaver or a wool carder. Although there is also a version that the navigator’s father served as the senior guard of the city gates.

Of course, the journey of Christopher Columbus did not begin immediately. Probably from the very early childhood the boy began to earn extra money, helping his elders support their family. Perhaps he was a cabin boy on ships and that’s why he loved the sea so much. Unfortunately, there are no more detailed records about how this man spent his childhood and youth. famous person, not preserved.

Regarding education, there is a version that H. Columbus studied at the University of Pavia, but there is no documentary evidence of this fact. Therefore, it is quite possible that he was educated at home. Be that as it may, this man had excellent knowledge in the field of navigation, which includes far from superficial knowledge of mathematics, geometry, cosmography and geography.

It is also known that as an adult, Christopher Columbus worked as a cartographer, and then went to work in a local printing house. He spoke not only his native Portuguese, but also Italian and Spanish. A good command of Latin helped him in deciphering maps and chronicles. There is evidence that the navigator knew how to write a little in Hebrew.

It is also known that Columbus was a prominent man, whom ladies constantly looked at. Thus, while serving in Portugal in some Genoese trading house, the future discoverer of America met his future wife Doña Felipe Moniz de Palestrello. They married in 1478. Soon the couple had a son, Diego. His wife’s family was also not rich, but it was the noble origin of his wife that allowed Christopher to establish contacts and establish useful connections in the circles of the nobility of Portugal

As for the nationality of the traveler, there are even more mysteries. Some researchers prove Jewish origin Columbus, but there are also versions with Spanish, German and Portuguese roots.

Christopher's official religion was Catholic. Why can you say this? The fact is that, according to the rules of that era, otherwise he simply would not have been allowed into Spain. Although, it is quite possible that he hid his true religion.

Apparently, many mysteries of the navigator’s biography will remain unsolved for all of us.

Pre-Columbian America or what the discoverer saw when he arrived on the mainland

America, until the moment of its discovery, was a land where certain groups of people lived, who for centuries remained in a kind of natural isolation. All of them, by the will of fate, found themselves cut off from the rest of the planet. However, despite all this, they were able to create high culture, demonstrating unlimited capabilities and skill.

The uniqueness of these civilizations lies in the fact that they are considered natural-ecological in nature, and not man-made, like ours. The local aborigines, the Indians, did not seek to transform environment On the contrary, their settlements fit into nature as harmoniously as possible.

Experts say that all civilizations that arose in North Africa, Asia, and Europe developed approximately the same way. In pre-Columbian America, this development took a different path, therefore, for example, the contrast between the population of the city and the village was minimal. The cities of the ancient Indians also contained extensive agricultural land. The only one significant difference between the city and the village was the area of ​​occupied territory.

At the same time, the civilization of pre-Columbian America did not make much progress on what Europe and Asia were able to achieve. For example, the Indians were not very keen to improve metal processing technologies. If in the Old World bronze was considered the main metal and new lands were conquered for its sake, then in pre-Columbian America this material was used exclusively as decoration.

But the civilizations of the New World are interesting for their unique structures, sculptures and paintings, which were characterized by a completely different style.

The beginning of the journey

In 1485, after the categorical refusal of the King of Portugal to invest in a project to find the shortest sea route to India, Columbus moved to permanent place residence in Castile. There, with the help of Andalusian merchants and bankers, he was still able to organize a government naval expedition.

The first time Christopher Columbus's ship set off on a year-long voyage was in 1492. 90 people took part in the expedition.

By the way, contrary to a fairly common misconception, there were three ships, and they were called “Santa Maria”, “Pinta” and “Nina”.

The expedition left Palos at the very beginning of the hot August of 1492. From Canary Islands the flotilla headed west, where without special problems crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Along the way, the navigator's team discovered the Sargasso Sea and successfully reached the Bahamas archipelago, where they landed on land on October 12, 1492. Since then, this very date has become the official day of the discovery of America.

In 1986, a geographer from the United States, J. Judge, carefully processed all the available materials about this expedition on a computer and came to the conclusion that the first land that Christopher saw was Fr. Samana. From about October 14, for ten days, the expedition approached several more Bahamian islands, and by December 5, it discovered part of the coast of Cuba. On December 6, the team reached about. Haiti.

Then the ships moved along the northern coast, and then the luck changed for the pioneers. On the night of December 25, the Santa Maria suddenly landed on a reef. True, this time the crew was lucky - all the sailors survived.

Columbus's second voyage

The second expedition took place in 1493-1496, it was led by Columbus in the official position of viceroy of the lands he discovered.

It is worth noting that the team has increased significantly - the expedition already consisted of 17 ships. According to various sources, 1.5-2.5 thousand people took part in the expedition.

At the beginning of November 1493, the islands of Dominica, Guadeloupe and twenty Lesser Antilles were discovered, and on November 19 - about. Puerto Rico. In March 1494, Columbus, in search of gold, decided to make a military campaign on the island. Haiti, then opened Fr. Huventud and Fr. Jamaica.

For 40 days, the famous navigator carefully examined the south of Haiti, but in the spring of 1496 he nevertheless sailed home, completing his second voyage on June 11 in Castile.

By the way, it was then that H. Columbus notified the public about the opening of a new route to Asia.

Third expedition

The third trip took place in 1498-1500 and was not as numerous as the previous one. Only 6 ships took part in it, and the navigator himself led three of them across the Atlantic.

On July 31, in the first year of the trip, Fr. Trinidad, the ships entered the Gulf of Paria, as a result the peninsula of the same name was discovered. This is how South America was discovered.

Having entered the Caribbean Sea, Columbus landed in Haiti on August 31. Already in 1499, Christopher Columbus's monopoly on new lands was abolished; the royal couple sent their representative F. Bobadilla to the destination, who in 1500 arrested Columbus and his brothers following a denunciation.

The navigator, shackled, was sent to Castile, where local financiers persuaded the royal family to release him.

Fourth voyage to American shores

What continued to worry such a restless man as Columbus? Christopher, for whom America was already almost a passed stage, wanted to find new way from there to South Asia. The traveler believed that such a route existed, for he observed it off the coast of Fr. cubes strong current, which went west across the Caribbean Sea. As a result, he was able to convince the king to give permission for a new expedition.

Columbus went on his fourth trip with his brother Bartolomeo and his 13-year-old son Hernando. He was lucky enough to discover the mainland south of the island. Cuba is the coast of Central America. And Columbus was the first to inform Spain about the Indian peoples inhabiting the coast of the South Sea.

But, unfortunately, he never found the strait into the South Sea. I had to return home with practically nothing.

Unclear facts, the study of which continues

The distance from Palos to the Canaries is 1600 km, the ships participating in Columbus's expedition covered this distance in 6 days, i.e. they covered 250-270 km per day. The route to the Canary Islands was well known and did not present any difficulties. But it was precisely in this area that on August 6 (possibly 7) a strange breakdown occurred on the Pinta ship. According to some information, the steering wheel broke, according to others, there was a leak. This circumstance aroused suspicion, because then the Pinta crossed the Atlantic twice. Before that, she quite successfully covered about 13 thousand km, experienced terrible storms and arrived in Palos without damage. Therefore, there is a version that the accident was rigged by crew members at the request of the ship’s co-owner K. Quintero. Perhaps the sailors received part of their salary and spent it. They saw no more sense in risking their lives, and the owner himself had already received a lot of money for renting the Pinta. So it was logical to fake a breakdown and stay safe in the Canary Islands. It seems that the captain of the Pinta, Martin Pinson, finally saw through the conspirators and stopped them.

Already on Columbus's second trip, the intended colonists set sail with him; they loaded the ships with livestock, equipment, seeds, etc. The colonists founded their city somewhere in the vicinity of the modern city of Santo Domingo. The same expedition discovered Fr. Lesser Antilles, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica. But until the last, Christopher Columbus remained of the opinion that he had discovered western India, and not a new land.

Interesting data from the life of the discoverer

Of course, there is a lot of unique and very informative information. But in this article we would like to give examples of the most interesting facts.

• When Christopher lived in Seville, he was friends with the brilliant Amerigo Vespucci.
• King John II at first refused to allow Columbus to organize an expedition, but then sent his sailors to sail along the route proposed by Christopher. True, due to a strong storm, the Portuguese had to return home with nothing.
• After Columbus was shackled on his third expedition, he decided to keep the chains as a talisman for the rest of his life.
• By order of Christopher Columbus, for the first time in the history of navigation, Indian hammocks were used as sailor berths.
• It was Columbus who suggested that the Spanish king should populate new lands with criminals to save money.

Historical significance of the expeditions

Everything that Christopher Columbus discovered was appreciated only half a century later. Why is it so late? The thing is that only after this period, entire galleons filled with gold and silver began to be delivered from colonized Mexico and Peru to the Old World.

The Spanish royal treasury spent only 10 kg of gold on preparing the expedition, and in three hundred years Spain managed to export precious metals from America, the value of which was at least 3 million kg of pure gold.

Alas, stray gold did not benefit Spain; it did not stimulate the development of industry or the economy. And as a result, the country still fell hopelessly behind many European countries.

Today, not only numerous ships and vessels, cities, rivers and mountains are named in honor of Christopher Columbus, but also, for example, monetary unit El Salvador, Colombia, located in South America, as well as a famous state in the USA.

Initially, the American continent was inhabited by tribes that arrived from Asia. However, in the 13th-15th century, when active development culture, industry, civilized Europe goes in search and development of new lands. What happened to America at the end of the 15th century?

Christopher Columbus is a famous Spanish navigator. It was his first expedition that marked the beginning of active travel to the “New World” and the development of this territory. The “New World” was then considered to be the lands that are now called South and North America.

In 1488, Portugal had a monopoly on the waters of the Atlantic coast of Africa. Spain was forced to find another sea route to trade with India and gain access to gold, silver and spices. This is what prompted the rulers of Spain to agree to Columbus's expedition.

Columbus is looking for a new route to India

Columbus made only four expeditions to the shores of the so-called “India”. However, by the fourth expedition he knew that he had not found India. So, let's go back to Columbus's first voyage.

Columbus's first voyage to America

The first expedition consisted of only three ships. Columbus had to get two ships himself. The first ship was given by his fellow navigator Pinson. He also lent Columbus money so that Christopher could equip a second ship. About a hundred crew members also went on the trip.

The voyage lasted from August 1492 to March 1493. In October, they sailed to a land that was mistakenly considered to be the surrounding islands of Asia, that is, it could be the western territories of China, India or Japan. In reality, it was the European discovery of the Bahamas, Haiti and Cuba. Here, on these islands, local residents presented Columbus with dry leaves, i.e. tobacco, as a gift. The locals also walked naked around the island and wore various gold jewelry. Columbus tried to find out from them where they got the gold and only after he took several natives prisoner did he find out the route where they got it. So Columbus attempted to find gold, but found only more and more new lands. He was happy that he had opened a new route to “Western India,” but there were no developed cities and untold riches there. When returning home, Christopher took with him local residents (whom he called Indians) as proof of success.

When did the colonization of America begin?

Soon after returning to Spain with gifts and "Indians", the Spaniards soon decide to send the sailor on his way again. Thus began Columbus's second expedition.

Columbus's second voyage

September 1493 - June 1496 The purpose of this journey was to organize new colonies, so the flotilla included as many as 17 ships. Among the sailors there were priests, nobles, officials and courtiers. They brought domestic animals, raw materials, and food with them. As a result of the expedition, Columbus paved a more convenient route to “Western India”, the island of Hispaniola (Haiti) was completely conquered, and the extermination of the local population began.

Columbus still believed that he was in Western India. On the second trip, they also discovered islands, including Jamaica and Puerto Rico. On Hispaniola, the Spaniards found gold deposits in the depths of the island and began mining it, with the help of enslaving the local residents. Worker uprisings arose, but unarmed local residents were doomed. They died as a result of the suppression of riots, diseases brought from Europe, and hunger. The rest of the local population was subject to tribute and enslaved.
The Spanish rulers were not satisfied with the income that the new lands brought, and therefore they allowed everyone to move to the new lands, and they broke the agreement with Columbus, that is, they deprived him of the right to rule the new lands. As a result, Columbus decides to travel to Spain, where he negotiates with the kings to return his privileges, and that prisoners will live in the new lands, who will work and develop the territories; moreover, Spain will be freed from undesirable elements of society.

Third trip

Columbus set out on the third expedition with six ships, 600 people also included prisoners from Spanish prisons. Columbus this time decided to pave the way closer to the equator in order to find new lands rich in gold, since the current colonies provided modest incomes, which did not suit the Spanish kings. But due to illness, Columbus was forced to go to Hispaniola (Haiti). There a rebellion awaited him again. To suppress the rebellion, Columbus had to allocate land to the local residents and give slaves to help each rebel.

Then, unexpectedly, news came - the famous navigator Vasco da Gama discovered the real route to India. He arrived from there with treats, spices, and declared Columbus a deceiver. As a result spanish kings They ordered the deceiver to be arrested and returned to Spain. But soon, the charges against him are dropped and he is sent on the last expedition.

Fourth expedition

Columbus believed that there was a path from new lands to a source of spices. And he wanted to find him. As a result of the last expedition, he discovered islands off South America, Costa Rica and others, but never reached Pacific Ocean, because I learned from local residents that Europeans were already here. Columbus returned to Spain.

Since Columbus no longer had a monopoly on the discovery of new lands, other Spanish travelers set out to explore and colonize new territories. An era began when impoverished Spanish or Portuguese knights (conquistadors) traveled away from their native lands in search of adventure and wealth.

Who was the first to colonize America?

The Spanish conquistadors initially tried to develop new lands in North Africa, but the local population showed strong resistance, so the discovery of the New World came in handy. It was thanks to the discovery of new colonies in North and South America that Spain was considered the main superpower of Europe and the mistress of the seas.

In history and literature, the period of the conquest of American lands is perceived differently. On the one hand, the Spaniards are viewed as educators who brought culture, religion, and art with them. On the other hand, it was brutal enslavement and destruction of the local population. In fact, it was both. Modern countries They evaluate the contribution of Spaniards to the history of their country differently. For example, in Venezuela in 2004, a monument to Columbus was demolished because he was considered the founder of the extermination of the local indigenous population.

A whole series modern researchers paid attention to the unique details of Columbus's journey. In August 1492, Christopher Columbus set out to find a new route to India. As you know, the navigator was unable to reach the Indian shores, but fate rewarded him with the discovery of an entire continent.

Mountains of literature have been written about the great Columbus, films have been made, a country is named after him, but there is at least one mystery in his journey that still baffles researchers.

Before setting off on his famous voyage that ended with the discovery of America, Columbus showed some geographical maps potential sponsors of your trip. There is evidence of this, for example, the memories of his son.

But there is also objective evidence that Columbus had such maps, and they were radically different from the well-known and very inaccurate maps of the Middle Ages.

The fact is that crossing the ocean on a sailboat is not an easy task: you need to take into account the prevailing winds and currents. So, Columbus somehow knew in advance the route that was optimal. He first descended to the Canary Islands, and then reached the line of trade winds, which drove his ships across the ocean.

On ordinary medieval maps, India is located directly opposite Spain, but for some reason Columbus did not sail directly to India. Accident? Unlikely.

Further, having stumbled upon the islands of the Caribbean Sea, he again did not act as the usual maps told him, Columbus sailed down. Moreover, he distributed sealed packages to his captains in case a storm scattered the ships in different sides. It said that there was no need to go back, but to follow the trade winds for a distance of 700 leagues. Then the reefs will begin, and therefore sailing at night is already prohibited. Amazingly, this is where Cuba and other Caribbean islands were located.

It is known that there was almost a riot on Columbus's ships. The sailors were frightened that the trade winds were always blowing westward, and they didn’t understand how they could get back. But Columbus somehow knew the return route. He showed some documents that calmed everyone down. The map did not fail again, and Columbus, breaking through the winds, reached the Gulf Stream, which helped him return to Europe. Such repeated “luck” does not happen.

A number of modern researchers have paid attention to the unique details of Columbus's voyage, and they agree that the famous navigator must have had some documents containing more accurate geographical information than the well-known medieval maps.

Where could Columbus get his secret maps? Apparently, from ancient sources, but where did ancient authors get them from? Plato directly writes that he received information from Egyptian priests. So, Plato talks about a certain continent that lies west of Atlantis.

It is interesting that there is endless talk about Atlantis, but the fact that Plato pointed to another continent is usually forgotten. This continent is America. It is known that many great Greeks went to study in Egypt. It is believed that Democritus also visited there, putting forward the idea of ​​the atom 2 thousand years before it was recognized in the 19th century. How did he know this? Democritus himself did not hide the fact that this theory came from Indian sources.

Geographical mysteries are not limited to Columbus's maps. Everyone knows the famous 16th century map of the Ottoman admiral Piri Reis, which depicts Antarctica. It is less known that the American researcher Hapgood studied and systematized many anomalous maps, and on one of them Antarctica was shown without ice at all. Moreover, this map of 1559 is very accurate.

There are unusual cards, related to our country. For example, long before the travels of Dezhnev and Bering, Europeans knew that Asia and North America separated by a strait. This strait, called Anian in Europe, is now called the Bering Strait.

Willy-nilly, you begin to think that once there were highly developed civilizations that created these unusual maps, and medieval cartographers redrew them from old sources. The same Piri Reis wrote that for his map he used sources from the time of Alexander the Great... Where from? How could people know this?!

“The history and significance of geographical discoveries” - Portuguese navigator. Ancient Greek scientist. Australia is an independent continent. Robert Peary. Russian sailors. Englishman. Mainland. The routes of which travelers are shown on the map. Russian travelers. Which polar explorer's route is shown on the map? Routes of four expeditions.

“Age of Discovery” - Vehicles used in geographical discoveries. Directions of geographical discoveries. Interaction with other countries. Fragment of a lesson on the topic “The Age of Great Geographical Discoveries” (7th grade). First trip around the world. Sailing ship. Silver coins.

“Great geographical discoveries of modern times” - -Europeans met new... Map of Magellan’s travel route. New time. Letter from a barrel. 3. Homeland olympic games -. New century- the age of technical inventions. Discovery of Australia. Key words: geography, cultivated plants, continents, globe. Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev. Valued: Entrepreneurship. -The desire to find application for your knowledge and talents.

“Great geographical discoveries” - Ships of the expedition of Christopher Columbus. Drawing 1523 Columbus's discoveries forced the Portuguese to hurry up. Great geographical discoveries marked the beginning of the creation of the colonial system (see Christopher Columbus. At the same time, the Spaniards rushed to search for new trade routes. Life is wonderful!.. - what’s amazing!

“The Age of Discovery” - James Cook 1768 Normans (Vikings) 10th century. Routes of the most important travels. Vasco da Gama May 20, 1498 Vasco Balboa 1513 Age of Great Geographical Discoveries. Ferdinand Magellan 1520 What prerequisites contributed to the Great Geographical Discoveries? What books about travelers have you read? Marco Polo 13th century.

“The History of Great Geographical Discoveries” - The Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico. Great geographical discoveries. Vasco da Gama. General conclusion. Italian traveler. Fernano Cortes. If Christopher Columbus had not discovered America, no one would have discovered it. Francisco Pizarro. Christopher Columbus. Amerigo Vespucci. Ferdinand Magellan. Portuguese navigator.

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