manifest destiny christopher columbus & the new world
TRANSCRIPT
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