Christopher Columbus
An Italian explorer, navigator and colonist who completed four voyages across the Atlantic
Real World Example
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean, paving the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. His 1492 voyage, sponsored by Spain, led to the "discovery" of the New World, which had significant impacts on global trade, culture, and population movements. At the time, Columbus's journeys mattered because they opened up new opportunities for wealth, expansion, and the spread of European influence. Today, his legacy is complex, as it includes both the positive impacts of cultural exchange and the negative consequences of colonization on indigenous populations. For example, his voyages indirectly led to the diverse cultural mix in places like the United States, which can be seen in the wide variety of foods, languages, and traditions present today.
