The Age of Exploration: Columbus and Beyond

The quest for land and wealth in the Americas, especially in the 16th century, led to exploration and conquest by European powers, particularly Spain. It was a race to claim new territories and establish empires, seeking gold and other resources, but with tragic consequences for the native populations.

A Spanish explorer who claimed the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands for Spain in 1513, marking a significant moment in Spanish expansion across the Americas.

Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, starting in 1519. Though he died during the journey, his crew completed the voyage, making history. This achievement solidified Spain's presence in the global exploration scene and established Spain as a formidable power.

The Spanish conquest of the Aztec and Inca Empires in the 16th century led to significant wealth for Spain but caused immense suffering for native populations. It highlighted the brutal reality of colonization and the exploitation of resources for the benefit of the colonizing power.

Spain established the first North American settlement in 1565, known as St. Augustine, in present-day Florida. This marked a significant step in Spanish colonial expansion and demonstrated their commitment to expanding their influence in the New World.

The Age of Exploration was a period marked by European voyages of discovery and colonization, primarily driven by the quest for wealth, fame, and the spread of Christianity. It was a time of intense competition among European nations for control of new lands and resources.

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, set out to find a faster route to India and China by sailing west. He mistakenly believed that the Earth's circumference was smaller than it actually is, leading him to 'discover' the Americas.

Spain and Portugal were the main contenders in the Age of Exploration, driven by the desire for wealth, fame, and the spread of Christianity. Both countries sought to establish colonies in the newly discovered lands.

Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese explorer, became the first European to reach Brazil in 1500. This discovery led to Portugal establishing a vast and profitable colony there, which eventually grew larger than Portugal itself.

The 'West Indies' is a term used to refer to the Caribbean islands, named by Columbus. It reflects the mistaken idea that he had reached the East Indies, or modern-day Indonesia, when he actually discovered the Americas.