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[[Image:columbus.jpg|thumb]] '''Christopher Columbus''' (1451-1506) was a [[Genoa|Genoese]] explorer who explored the [[West Indies]] for [[Spain]] from 1492 to 1502.  His discovery resulted in Europeans exploring and settling the Americas.

[[Image:columbus.jpg|thumb]] '''Christopher Columbus''' (1451-1506) was an Italian explorer hired by Spain to reach Asia in 1491; instead he discovered a continent, and in four voyages explored the [[West Indies]] from 1492 to 1502.  His discovery resulted in Europeans exploring and settling the Americas.

 

As conservative historian Wilcomb Washburn explains, if Columbus had not discovered the New World, the process of European discovery might have been very different. Rather than standing as a symbol of inexorable forces, Columbus is better seen as a representative of the spirit of inquiry, Christian religious zeal, and the notable achievements of Western Civilization.<ref> Wilcomb E. Washburn, "Columbus: Agent Of The Inevitable?" ''Continuity'' 1992 (16): 57-63. 0277-1446 </ref>  

As conservative historian Wilcomb Washburn explains, if Columbus had not discovered the New World, the process of European discovery might have been very different. Rather than standing as a symbol of inexorable forces, Columbus is better seen as a representative of the spirit of inquiry, Christian religious zeal, and the notable achievements of Western Civilization.<ref> Wilcomb E. Washburn, "Columbus: Agent Of The Inevitable?" ''Continuity'' 1992 (16): 57-63. 0277-1446 </ref>  

However he still had the Nina and Pinta, and so he took most of his crew up the Windward Passage and onwards to Spain. The king and queen were amazed by the colorful birds and strange foods that Columbus brought with him. Columbus was then called Admiral.

However he still had the Nina and Pinta, and so he took most of his crew up the Windward Passage and onwards to Spain. The king and queen were amazed by the colorful birds and strange foods that Columbus brought with him. Columbus was then called Admiral.

==Second Voyage==

==Second Voyage==

When Columbus sailed back to the new world in 1493, he found no sign of Navidad or of his crew. It is unknown what became of the crew, but one widely believed theory is the local Indian population grew tired of being harassed for gold and killed the sailors. Columbus then built a new settlement called Isabella (after the queen), then left it in the charge of his brother Diego and went exploring. He was puzzled that his maps of the east did not match with what he had seen. When he reached modern day [[Cuba]] he believed that this was the mainland and forced his crew to swear that it was.  He also discovered [[Jamaica]] shortly afterwards. On his second voyage Columbus was able to sail back exactly to the same place as on his first voyage, despite poor navigating techniques of the time period. Some attribute this fact to divine providence.

When Columbus sailed back to the new world in 1493, he found no sign of Navidad or of his crew. It is unknown what became of the crew, but one widely believed theory is the local Indian population grew tired of being harassed for gold and killed the sailors. Columbus then built a new settlement called Isabella (after the queen), then left it in the charge of his brother Diego and went exploring. He was puzzled that his maps of the east did not match with what he had seen. When he reached modern day [[Cuba]] he believed that this was the mainland and forced his crew to swear that it was.  He also discovered [[Jamaica]] shortly afterwards. On his second voyage Columbus was able to sail back exactly to the same place as on his first voyage, despite poor navigating techniques of the time period. Some attribute this fact to divine providence.

* Morison, Samuel Eliot. '' Admiral of the Ocean Sea: A Life of Christopher Columbus‎'' (2003 revised edition), 691pp; the best biography; written by an eminent conservative historian [http://www.amazon.com/Admiral-Ocean-Sea-Christopher-Columbus/dp/0316584789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243893419&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Morison, Samuel Eliot. '' Admiral of the Ocean Sea: A Life of Christopher Columbus‎'' (2003 revised edition), 691pp; the best biography; written by an eminent conservative historian [http://www.amazon.com/Admiral-Ocean-Sea-Christopher-Columbus/dp/0316584789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243893419&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]

* Phillips, Carla Rahn. ''The Worlds of Christopher Columbus‎'' (1993) 340 pages   

* Phillips, Carla Rahn. ''The Worlds of Christopher Columbus‎'' (1993) 340 pages   

===Historiography===

===Historiography===

* Axtell, James. "Columbian Encounters: 1992-1995." ''William And Mary Quarterly'' 1995 52(4): 649-696. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2947042 in JSTOR], reviews the major publications

* Axtell, James. "Columbian Encounters: 1992-1995." ''William And Mary Quarterly'' 1995 52(4): 649-696. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2947042 in JSTOR], reviews the major publications