Changes

Thus, centuries passed before one man inspired by the Christian [[faith]] was determined to change the world of his time.  By the young age of 10, the Italian [[Christopher Columbus]] was working at sea, already on his way to becoming a master navigator and mariner.  He learned the patterns of the Atlantic trade winds, and their ability to carry sailing vessels across vast distances both eastward and westward before one's provisions would run out.  With the charts he developed, he was certain he could reach Asia on a westbound route more efficiently than others could.

Thus, centuries passed before one man inspired by the Christian [[faith]] was determined to change the world of his time.  By the young age of 10, the Italian [[Christopher Columbus]] was working at sea, already on his way to becoming a master navigator and mariner.  He learned the patterns of the Atlantic trade winds, and their ability to carry sailing vessels across vast distances both eastward and westward before one's provisions would run out.  With the charts he developed, he was certain he could reach Asia on a westbound route more efficiently than others could.

It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail west into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to find an easier way to reach the Far East, by sailing westward rather than going eastward from Europe to reach India and Japan.  Columbus tried Portugal for raising money, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him, but Columbus persisted for ten more years.

It took enormous courage, determination and financial support to sail west into the complete unknown.  It also took more than a desire to get rich, because there were easier ways to make money.  That additional desire was a passion to spread Christianity to new civilizations.  In 1482, [[Christopher Columbus]] sought financing to sail west in order to find an easier way to reach the Far East, by sailing westward rather than going eastward from Europe to reach India and Japan.  Columbus tried to raise money in Portugal for his trip, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him.  Yet Columbus did not give up.

In 1492 Spain drove out the last of the Muslims and re-established itself as a Christian nation, and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Columbus's request for funding his voyage in that same year.  Spain continues to honor Columbus Day just as the United States does.

In 1492 Spain drove out the last of the Muslims and re-established itself as a Christian nation, and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Columbus's request to fund his voyage in that same year.  Spain continues to honor Columbus Day just as the United States does.

Columbus was not only a devout Christian, but an enterprising capitalist.  The contract he signed with the Spanish Monarchy, known as the Capitulations of Santa Fe, named him Admiral of the Atlantic Ocean, Viceroy and Governor of all the new lands discovered, and gave him one-tenth of the profit from all of the discovered lands  (Spain later refused to honor the agreement, and Columbus never became wealthy).  Having secured his funding, Columbus assembled his ships and crew and set out in August of 1492 to reach the Orient.

Columbus was not only a devout Christian, but an enterprising capitalist.  The contract he signed with the Spanish Monarchy, known as the Capitulations of Santa Fe, named him Admiral of the Atlantic Ocean, Viceroy and Governor of all the new lands discovered, and gave him one-tenth of the profit from all of the discovered lands  (Spain later refused to honor the agreement, and Columbus never became wealthy).  Having secured his funding, Columbus assembled his ships and crew and set out in August of 1492 to reach the Orient.

The incredible genius of Columbus -- or Providence -- was demonstrated a year later on his second voyage across the Atlantic.  Amid the vast ocean, Columbus was able to return to exactly the same location that he had reached on his first voyage on the island of [[Hispaniola]].  That is like finding a needle in a haystack the size of a football stadium.  But Columbus's colony had not survived in his absence.

The incredible genius of Columbus -- or Providence -- was demonstrated a year later on his second voyage across the Atlantic.  Amid the vast ocean, Columbus was able to return to exactly the same location that he had reached on his first voyage on the island of [[Hispaniola]].  That is like finding a needle in a haystack the size of a football stadium.  But Columbus's colony had not survived in his absence.

Columbus sailed on a total of three subsequent voyages, but never achieved his goal and died a failure.  His ultimate dream of liberating Jerusalem, as the Crusades attempted, was not realized.  But what he did achieve was to open the New World to spreading Christianity and creating new wealth.

Columbus sailed on a total of three subsequent voyages, but never achieved his goal.  Columbus died a failure.  His ultimate dream of liberating Jerusalem, as the Crusades attempted, was not realized.  But what he did achieve was to open the New World to spreading Christianity and creating new wealth.

Columbus's efforts resulted in Spain acquiring [[Haiti]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Jamaica]] and [[Cuba]] by 1515.  Spain then settled Florida (St. Augustine), and later Santa Fe (now in New Mexico).  Spanish [[Hernando Cortes]] conquered the Aztecs in central Mexico (1521), and [[Francisco Pizarro]] conquered the Incas of Peru (1531).  They seized much gold in the process.

Columbus's efforts resulted in Spain acquiring [[Haiti]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[Jamaica]] and [[Cuba]] by 1515.  Spain then settled Florida (St. Augustine), and later Santa Fe (now in New Mexico).  Spanish [[Hernando Cortes]] conquered the Aztecs in central Mexico (1521), and [[Francisco Pizarro]] conquered the Incas of Peru (1531).  They seized much gold in the process.