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== Exploration (Columbian Period) ==

== Exploration (Columbian Period) ==

Starting in the Middle Ages, Christian Europe began to use its knowledge, wealth and [[faith]] to extend move beyond its horizons.  Christian Europeans fought the Holy [[Crusades]] from 1095 to 1291 to protect pilgrims to [[Jerusalem]] against Moslem attacks.  Some Europeans were motivated to spread the [[Gospel]].  Others were motivated by a desire to increase their wealth, such as by finding gold.  Supporting both types of people was increased knowledge about science and geography:  Europeans knew that they could reach the Orient by traveling West '''''around''''' the world.  Ironically, it was the very knowledge of the Earth's circumference that deterred a westward passage - the distance to the orient in that direction was beyond the open-water range of ships in that period.   

Starting in the Middle Ages, Christian Europe began to use its knowledge, wealth and [[faith]] to extend beyond its horizons.  Christian Europeans fought the Holy [[Crusades]] from 1095 to 1291 to protect pilgrims to [[Jerusalem]] against Moslem attacks.  Some Europeans were motivated to spread the [[Gospel]].  Others were motivated by a desire to increase their wealth, such as by finding gold.  Supporting both types of people increased knowledge about science and geography:  Europeans knew that they could reach the Orient by traveling West '''''around''''' the world.  Ironically, it was the very knowledge of the Earth's circumference that deterred a westward passage - the distance to the orient in that direction was beyond the open-water range of ships in that period.   

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But 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 of 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.

But 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.

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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 continuing the different path eastward from Europe to India and Japan.  Columbus tried Portugal for raising money, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him, but Columbus persistently tried for ten more years.  In 1492 Spain drove out the last of the Muslims and re-established it as a Christian nation, and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Columbus's request for funding his voyage that year.  Spain continues to honor Columbus Day just as the United States does.

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 continuing the different path eastward from Europe to India and Japan.  Columbus tried Portugal for raising money, but it already had its own successful explorers.  Portugal declined to support him, but Columbus persistently tried for ten more years.  In 1492 Spain drove out the last of the Muslims and re-established it as a Christian nation, and King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted Columbus's request for funding his voyage that year.  Spain continues to honor Columbus Day just as the United States does.

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Columbus was not only a devout Christian, but an enterprising capitalist.  He used his hard-earned knowledge of the Atlantic trade winds and the navigational edge they gave him to secure funding for his venture from Spain on terms that gave him 10% of any riches discovered:  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.  He used his hard-earned knowledge of the Atlantic trade winds and the navigational edge they gave him to secure funding for his venture from Spain on terms that gave him 10% of any riches discovered:  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.

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So back to what Columbus did achieve.  He set sail in three ships.  First sighted land in late 1492. On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ship, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement “La Navidad,” meaning “The Nativity,” and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote to the King and Queen of Spain the following in his Journal:  “In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms.”

So back to what Columbus did achieve.  He set sail in three ships, the first sighted land in late 1492. On Christmas eve, December 24, 1492, one of Columbus's ships, the [[Santa Maria]], reached the island of [[Haiti]].  Columbus named the settlement “La Navidad,” meaning “The Nativity,” and dropped off 40 men with a promise to return to them the next year.  Columbus then wrote to the King and Queen of Spain the following in his Journal:  “In all the world there can be no better or gentler people.  Your Highnesses should feel great joy, because presently they will be Christians, and instructed in the good manners of your realms.”

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But he had grossly underestimated the size of the world, and when he reached San Salvador, Haiti (Hispaniola) and Cuba he thought he had reached the Far East.  So he called the natives Indians.  He left some men there but they were killed by the natives.  Columbus reported back that new people had been found to evangelize with Christianity.

But he had grossly underestimated the size of the world, and when he reached San Salvador, Haiti (Hispaniola) and Cuba he thought he had reached the Far East.  So he called the natives Indians.  He left some men there but they were killed by the natives.  Columbus reported back that new people had been found to evangelize with Christianity.