Christopher Columbus and Pre-Columbian Civilizations

Christopher Columbus and the Voyages to the Americas

While the Portuguese reached India and China by sailing south and east, Christopher Columbus sought to reach India by sailing west into the Atlantic Ocean. King John II of Portugal refused to finance the expedition, so Columbus petitioned the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. After conquering the Kingdom of Granada, they finally agreed to fund his voyage.

Columbus set sail on three ships: the Pinta, the Niña, and the Santa María. On 12 October 1492, they sighted land, and Columbus mistakenly believed he had arrived in Japan. He returned to Seville with gold and indigenous people to prove his success.

In 1493, Columbus returned to the Americas. The Spanish defeated opposing tribes and took many slaves, though they struggled to find significant gold and suffered from tropical diseases. Columbus completed four voyages, visiting many Caribbean islands, as well as Central and South America. When he died in 1506, he still claimed to have reached Asia.

Pre-Columbian Civilizations of the Americas

When Columbus arrived in 1492, three major polytheistic civilizations dominated the region: the Aztecs, the Maya, and the Incas.

The Aztec Empire

In the 15th century, the Aztecs established their power in modern-day Mexico. By conquering neighboring kingdoms and demanding tribute, they became unpopular and gained many enemies.

• The Aztecs were ruled by an emperor who led the army in battle.
• They produced intricate jewelry and sculptures.

The Maya Civilization

The Maya inhabited the area surrounding the Yucatán Peninsula. By the time the Spanish arrived, their civilization was in decline due to civil wars. However, between 250 and 900 AD, the Maya possessed an advanced society featuring:

• A complex writing system.
• Skilled mathematicians and architects.
• Famous stone-stepped pyramids.

The Inca Empire

Originating in modern-day Peru, the Incas established their capital in Cusco. Their empire stretched from Ecuador in the north to parts of Chile and Argentina in the south.

• The Incas believed their emperor was the son of the sun.
• They constructed great cities from massive stones, such as Machu Picchu.
• They built 40,000 km of roads through mountainous terrain for rapid travel.
• They raised llamas and alpacas for wool and meat.