Summary: This film chronicles Christopher Columbus’s journey to the New World in 1492. It portrays his desire for fame and fortune, the difficulties he faced during his voyages, and the impacts his discovery had on both Europe and the Americas.
Foundational Historical Facts:
- Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 under the Spanish crown, believing he could find a westward route to Asia, but instead landed in the Caribbean, marking the beginning of European exploration of the Americas.
- Columbus’s voyages led to the establishment of European colonies in the Americas, which dramatically impacted the indigenous populations through disease, conquest, and forced labor.
- Columbus’s discovery is often credited with opening up the Age of Exploration, which led to significant global trade and the spread of European influence.