Christopher Columbus is known for “discovering” America in 1492. But that’s not the full story. Columbus wasn’t who we think he was. School textbooks paint him as a hero. But he was not, contrary to popular belief, the first European in the Americas. Here are some unexpected facts about Columbus you probably didn’t hear of in school.
He Never Set Foot in North America
Despite what you thought, Columbus never actually anchored in what is now the United States of America. His four journeys took him to parts of the Caribbean and Central and South America, but never American soil.
Vikings Beat Him by 500 Years
Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer who arrived in North America approximately in the year 1000, a long time before Columbus. The Vikings even temporarily had small settlement in what is now Canada.
He Thought He Was in Asia
Columbus thought he had found islands near China or India. This is why he called indigenous people “Indians” – an error that stuck. Even after numerous voyages, he was convinced that he had found a new course to Asia and not a whole new continent. Columbus was not a good navigator. He underestimated the size of Earth’s and didn’t even know the Pacific Ocean existed. His miscalculations could have ruined him, but luckily, the Americas were on his path.
Spain Almost Didn’t Fund Him
Columbus first proposed his idea to Portugal, but they denied him. King Ferdinand of Spain and Queen Isabella also said no. But after years of asking, they eventually gave in; especially because they wanted to compete with Portugal.
The Ships Weren’t What You Think
You may have heard of the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. But the Pinta and Santa María were nicknames. The Santa María, his biggest ship, sank on the first voyage. Columbus then had to leave men behind. He was arrested and taken back to Spain in chains after his third voyage. Even the Spanish crown believed his rule over the colonies was too cruel. Christopher Columbus was later freed but lost his titles and much of his wealth.
He Didn’t Prove the Earth Was Round
People say that Columbus proved the Earth was round and not flat. But educated Europeans already knew it was round by the 15th century. What he did accidentally prove, however, was that there were more continents than people thought.
His Journeys Led to Devastation
Columbus marked the start of European colonization, leading to forced labor, disease and violence towards indigenous people. His men’s actions would lead to centuries of suffering for native people.
He Died Poor and Bitter
Columbus spent his remaining years trying to recover his lost wealth and status. He died in 1506, still thinking he had found parts of Asia. He wasn’t aware that he’d unveiled an entirely new world. Some see Columbus as a brave explorer; others think of him as a brutal colonizer. Recently, many regions have substituted Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day to commemorate the darker side of his history.
He Still Changed History Forever
Columbus wasn’t the first nor the best, but his travels changed history. There’s no denying the mark he made, whether you see him as a hero or as a villain. As you can now see, Columbus’ true story is much more complicated than what you were taught at school.
Sources
7 ‘Facts’ They Got Wrong in School About Christopher Columbus
10 Things You May Not Know About Christopher Columbus
