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Columbus's Competition

In the 1400s European traders diversified, trying to find other sources of exotic goods, and other routes to the Orient

Europe reaches out

• The 1400s European traders diversified...

Review of causes and triggers

• Causes
• Population growth
• Growth of wealth
• Growth of Nobility and Traders
• Religious motives
• Triggers
• The Constantinople corridor was closed
• Competition for controlling new routes

Italian Merchants' territories

The African explorations

The 15th-Century European knowledge of world geography

View prior to 1492

Behaim Globe

But how big?

Why didn't they know about "Vinland"?

The "Vinland Map"

Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli

Toscanelli's influence

He convinced others that the plan could work, and offered some legitimacy to people like Columbus

15th-Century navigation

• magnetic compass
• 1000 in China, 12th C. in Europe
• time-keeping technology

Spain's dilemma

• Granada was the 1st priority
• Portugal was ahead of them in exploration

Christopher Columbus

A.K.A.

Cristóbal Colón

Christophe Colomb

Cristobal Colombo

Columbus's background

• An example of people in his times...
• Genoa roots
• merchant aspirations
• widely traveled

Columbus's travels

Columbus's plan

• Receive permanent noble titles for himself and his family
• Receive portions of all profits made from his discoveries
• Finance campaign to take Jerusalem

Columbus's competition

• Others were engaged in negotiations with European Kings to do just what Columbus did...

Columbus's edge...

Columbus sets off . . .

• The town of Palos, as punishment for things done against the crown, contributed to the voyage

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comments to Wilson or Lovata
Created 10/21/98, modified by SMW 10/21/98