Christopher Columbus Research Paper

The discovery of America, like most things in history, is not one hundred percent clear. It is accredited to Christopher Columbus although there were natives living in the regions he discovered. When he landed in the Bahamas in October of 1492, it was the first of many times Columbus set foot in the Americas. Funded by Spain, the textbook explains Columbus was convinced that “The distance from the west coast of Europe to the east coast of Asia was about 5,000 miles, instead of the actual 12,000.”(Western Civilization P363) By promising Spain the gold of Solomon and converting the new world into Christianity, Columbus received the blessing and funding of Spain. Upon landing Columbus believed he arrived in the Indies, which is why we still call
However, Amerigo made this conclusion in 1501. Martin Waldseemuller did not give the New World the name of America until 1507. Why did Martin wait six years? I believe Martin knew that naming the New World after Amerigo would not be taken lightly by Columbus, therefor Martin waited until after Christopher Columbus had passed away. If it was a fair judgement for Martin to name the New World after Amerigo, Columbus would have not had a problem with it and therefore Martin would have put it on the map before the death of Columbus. Instead he waited to avoid problems. With Martin Waldseemuller being one of the greatest mapmakers of the times, who would argue over the name of the New World other than the recently deceased Christopher Columbus? Although the majority of people knew who really discovered America, it’s not always about what you know but who you know. Since Martin Waldseemuller was such a credible mapmaker, no one questioned his motives. It is said by historians that Waldseemuller later changed his mind about Amerigo’s credibility, but by then it was too late. The name had stuck.(Nebraska