How Do You Respond To Christopher Columbus

My father, John II of Castile, had my brother Alfonso and I with his second wife. My mother, Isabella of Portugal. My father had my other brother, Henry, from a previous marriage. I believe I was about three years old when my father passed. At that time, Henry became King Henry IV, I was left with very little memory of my father and Alfonso was left with no memories. The Spanish nobles at the time did not wish to have Henry as their king and preferred my younger brother Alfonso. Unfortunately, Alfonso died during our teen years and never became king. Eventually, I was declared Queen of Castile after a long journey including arranged marriages by my brother, war with Portugal and a peace treaty. After countless attempts on both parts to find one another, I married my husband Ferdinand at the age of 18. Ferdinand was the king of Aragon and I was the queen of Castile. Together, we decided to equally rule the two kingdoms as one. My husband and I are devout Catholics and we agreed to get the rest of Spain to believe as well. Through our leadership we spread the
good word of God and cleansed our land of heretics. In due course, Ferdinand and I met Senor Columbus whose voyage we sponsored. He expanded the wealth and power of Spain through his journey leading to the country becoming a strong kingdom. The trial concerning Christopher Columbus involves me greatly.
Senor Columbus came to my husband and I to propose his vision. At the time, we turned down his request due to us being preoccupied with claiming Granada. Once we dealt with the issue, we got to know Christopher Columbus and better understood his plans. Ultimately, we agreed to fund his trip which led to Spain becoming a respected empire with many new treasures. Due to me being able to see the potential of Senor Columbus, Spain rose to greatness. Discoverers brought riches, our agriculture prospered and we became excellent manufacturers of cloths, steel weapons and leather goods. I believe I have a duty to defend Senor Columbus in this trial as his voyage has allowed Spain to flourish. I have known him for many years and I see him as someone who I was right to trust. Christopher Columbus has only done good for Spain and I know him to be a great
man.
I, Queen Isabella of Spain, find these accusations against Christopher Columbus to be false and utterly ridiculous. The allegation of him committing genocide is not only deceptive but also completely erases all the good he has done. Senor Columbus is a man with great knowledge whose navigational skills and persistence allowed him to succeed in his journey across unknown waters. Christopher Columbus was determined to complete his plan even after being turned down by the rulers of Genoa, Venice and the King of Portugal. To paint a well-educated man with so much passion as a villain is defamation. He exposed the Natives of the land to Christianity and spread the word of God. Christopher Columbus’ curious mind and wish to explore, allowed the him to encounter the lands of the New World. Senor Columbus is a brave man who I can honestly and proudly refer to as the discoverer of the New World who opened the way of largescale travel and expansion.