Christophe Colomb, est son voyage

The discovery of America by Christopher Colombus

Presentation

Political context of Spain in the 15th century

At the end of the 15th century, Spain was a unified kingdom after the Reconquista, which marked the victory of Christians over Muslims and the integration of the Kingdom of Granada. This success gave the Spanish monarchy new stability and an ambition for expanded power. The union of Catholic Monarchs, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, allowed to finance maritime expeditions and embark on the exploration of new trade routes. At that time, Europeans were looking for a new route to the Indies to access precious spices, which were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain due to land routes controlled by the Ottomans. It was in this context that Christopher Colombus, a Genovese navigator, proposed an audacious plan: to reach Asia by sailing westward across the Atlantic. Convinced by his arguments, the Catholic Monarchs decided to fund his expedition.

Christopher Colombus

Born in 1451 in the territory of the Republic of Genoa and died on May 20, 1506, in Valladolid, was a Genovese navigator in the service of the union Catholic Monarchs, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand IInd (King of Spain in the 15th century).

The journey to India

In the 15th century, Europe was seeking new trade routes. Spices, such as pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, were highly sought-after products, not only for their culinary value but also for their medicinal properties. The trade of these spices, which came from Asia, brought fortunes to Venetian and Portuguese merchants. However, traditional land routes had become increasingly risky and expensive due to conflicts and Ottoman domination. Maritime explorations, there fore, were a response to this economic pressure : the goal was to find alternative, more direct, and less costly routes to reach Asia. The search for new lands rich in resources and commercial opportunities was at the heart of the ambitions of powers such as Portugal (Vasgo de Gama, Magelan) and Spain.

Landing on the island

October 2, 1492: The Genovese Christopher Colombus, who had departed from the port of Palos in Spain, Sailing towards the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa, to benefit from the trade winds, which blow from East to West across the Atlantic. after ten week on the sea. Is discovers a new world, which he believes to be in Asian continent, known at the time as the "East Indies." In reality, he lands in the present-day Bahamas archipelago, on an island he names San Salvador.Then he continues his exploration to Fernandina (Cuba) and Hispaniola (Haiti) before returnin to Spain.

The consequences of the journey

The consequences were dramatic for the Amerindian civilizations of the Caribbean, which disappeared due to violence, slavery, and epidemics brought by Europeans. Daily, we benefit from the discovery of America on our plate. We enjoy vegetables and fruits that have become staples in cuisines worldwide, such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, chocolate, beans, chili peppers, vanilla, and squash. These foods, unknown to Europeans before Christopher Colombus voyages, not only enriched culinary menus but also profoundly influenced cooking techniques. Tomatoes, for instance, became a cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, featured prominently in dishes like pizza or pasta sauces. Potatoes, on the other hand, became a dietary staple across almost all European cuisines, providing essential sustenance and aiding in food diversification during times of crisis. In addition to these food items, Columbus and his expeditions also brought back spices, gold, and precious stones, which had significant cultural and economic impacts.

Source

• wikipedia
• les bons profs
• L'histoire par image
• thank you dad and mom

Conclusion

The discovery of America by Christophe Colomb in 1492 marked a historic turning point, driven by economic and political objectives on the part of Europeans. The maritime expeditions of the 15th century established commercial links between the Old World and the New World, facilitating the exchange of valuable resources as well as foodstuffs. These exchanges profoundly influenced the culinary history of Europe, and products from the New World continue to enrich modern cuisines today.