Christopher Columbus represented Spain on his
voyage. Columbus was looking for a different, shorter way to Asia. Traveling by land was
difficult. Columbus thought there might be a shorter water route to Asia. Instead of going by
water around Africa to Asia on a voyage that could be filled with danger because of bad weather,
Columbus believed it might be easier to go to Asia by heading west. While some doubted that
Columbus would be successful, the King and Queen of Spain were willing to take a chance on his
voyage. Thus, they sponsored his voyage.
The King and Queen of Spain viewed
his voyage as a way to gain fame and fortune. If Columbus was successful, they might be able to
claim any minerals he discovered. They also might be able to spread their religion,
Christianity, to other places. Columbus also could receive fame and riches if he was
successful.
Of course, we know the Columbus didnt find that shorter route to
Asia. In fact, he wasnt the first to find the Americas. However, he did lead four voyages for
Spain to what we now call the Americas. The fortune he hoped to find never really materialized
as a result of his voyages.
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