“Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492,” a famous quote about remembering the year Columbus found America. Over the years, facts have been altered and made to be more entertaining. Many educators over the last few decades have attempted to make the story of the finding of America more exaggerated and appealing. It’s hard to differentiate the actual events from the childhood stories because of the lack of authenticity over the years.
A common thought about Columbus’s voyage is that he originally went looking for new land and then came across America. The actuality of Columbus’ journey was to find gold and spices from the Indies. Columbus explained his plan to the King and Queen of Spain which was finding a shorter route to trade gold and spices across the Ocean. At first he was not given money for a crew because the King and Queen didn’t believe the journey was worth it, but they both soon came around. Finally when he was given the crew they started their search but overtime the story has changed to Columbus originally searching for land instead of the resources. Pop culture felt it was more intriguing to change the story because it would mean that he would have found what he was searching for instead of finding something new. To society, Columbus in search of gold and spices isn’t as exhilarating as finding our very own country land.
Although Columbus was not in search of land originally he is credited with being the first to find the America’s. There is much controversy over this statement because it is said that there were people on this land before him, such as the Natives. This quote shows how Columbus felt about the people who were on the Americas before he found them, “"As I saw that they were very friendly to us, and perceived that they could be much more easily converted to our holy faith by gentle means than by force, I presented them with some red caps, and strings of beads to wear upon the neck, and many other trifles of small value, wherewith they were much delighted, and became wonderfully attached to us.” This quote shows Columbus’ true intentions because he immediately tried to convert them. He believed he could do whatever he wants to these people and walk away still being the founder of the land. Columbus also said, “ It appears to me, that the people are ingenious, and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion.” This quote means that he truly didn’t care how these people felt and he was going to make them follow his choice of religion. Although society has said that Columbus was the first person to find America it has been proved, from Columbus’ journals, that he was not