The Ocean Blue Christopher Columbus

Not the First to Sail the Ocean Blue In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Although most students are taught this phrase, little else is taught or learned about Columbus. The history and background on Columbus and his voyage is typically unverifiable and often controversial. His need for wealth and power is not deserving of a national holiday. Students should know Columbus sailed the ocean blue on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, in 1492, but there is much more unknown and untold about his story. Little is actually known about Columbus. Most of what is found in history books or other reliable sources is often wrong or unverifiable. Books tell “Christopher Columbus grew up to become an experience seafarer. He sailed the Atlantic as far
as Iceland and West Africa…Therefore the fabled riches of the East— spices, silk,and gold— could be had by sailing west” (Loewen 32). No proof can be found to backup the history of Columbus’ occupation or that he knew he was sailing west . The only verifiable truth is that Columbus did not discover America. Along with the limited information there is on Columbus, comes with the little information we have on why the voyage took place. Many will say “people grew more curious”. This, however, is impossible, as one cannot measure curiosity. Other textbooks mention Europe’s growing wealth. This idea is shut down by Angus Calder stating, “Europe was smaller and poorer in the fifteenth century than it had been in the thirteenth.” The bubonic plague had a significantly negative effect on the economy. Thirdly many believe “spices were needed to disguise the taste of bad meat but the Turks but off the spice trade” (Loewen 34). The spice trade would have benefited the Turks, making this idea false, as well. Most people, at the time of Columbus, knew the earth was round. Europeans and even Native Americans realized because of the shadows of the moon the earth was not flat. “To make a better myth, American culture has perpetuated the idea that Columbus was boldly forging ahead while everyone else, even his own crew, imaged the world was flat” (Loewen 49). This is a common misconception often taught in school to young children which makes Columbus’ story more interesting. The most logical reason for the voyage was the strong desire for wealth.
To quote Columbus, “Gold is most excellent, go constitutes treasure, and he who has it does all he wants in the world, and can even lift souls up to Paradise.” Columbus’ men even wrote about his want for gold, in which he got by making his men and the native people of Haiti find it. The need for wealth is not always brought up in textbooks, although this is was usually the goal of these explorations. By not including the desire of wealth and the way that was achieved, Columbus looks like he was a nobleman, who was doing something to help his country. Columbus was given three ships to endure the long journey to “the New World” — the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Many sources claim that the three were “storm-battered” by the end of the voyage. The story contradicts itself when Columbus, in his own journal, states, “the three ships enjoyed lovely sailing. Seas were so calm that for days at a time sailors were able to converse from one ship to another” (Loewen 52). The Pinzon brothers were the captains of the Nina and Pinta. Columbus, sailing the Santa Maria, was the least experienced of the three. Although he claimed he wanted to keep the route taken a secret by writing it down wrong, many believe Columbus truly did not know his way. Another possibility was his lack of navigation skills lead him in the wrong
direction. Once the crew had made it to what they thought was the Indies, Columbus took an interest in the Native Americans. He called them Indians, because he thought they were in India. After much exploration around the islands, Columbus described, “I could conquer the whole of them with fifty men and govern them as I please.” Columbus believed he was superior and could take what he wanted from the people. The Native Americans Columbus claimed to “discover” were treated unfairly. Automatically, they were made slaves on the land they had lived on for years and years before the Spanish arrived. Columbus and his men tried to convert the Native Americans to Christianity. The Spanish would read a text what they called “the Requirement”. After their attempt at conversion, the Spanish then felt they could enslave those who did not convert. Their voyage could be looked upon in a positive light because they professed the word of God. European domination is part of history. It is something that is well known from the past and accepted. “Deep down, our culture encourages us to mate that we are richer and more powerful because we’re smarter” (Loewen 37). American history is taught in a way that views America and Europe in a positive light. For this reason, it seems natural that even if studies show Europeans and Americans are not smarter, they should still dominate and control. Columbus, soon after, returned to Europe with everything he wanted — power and wealth. While only seven to eight survived the voyage, nearly twenty-five Native Americans were captured and brought with. Gold and other valuables were taken back as well. Columbus’ voyage became a known success in Spain. The leaders wanted to continue the power and wealth. “Ferdinand and Isabella provided Columbus with seventeen ships, twelve hundred to fifteen hundred men, cannon, crossbows, guns, cavalry, and attack dogs for a second voyage” (Loewen 54). Columbus and his men returned to Haiti the next year, 1493. Learning the truth about Columbus and his voyage may change opinions on whether or not Columbus day should be a holiday. False statements are learned that make the voyage seem as if it was a discovery of a new place. The truth, however, was Columbus got lost, ended up on an already discovered and inhabited land and took over. Students should know Columbus sailed the ocean blue on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, in 1492, but there is much more unknown and untold about his story.