Columbus

Topic: How central was religion in the service Spanish explorers performed for Spanish monarchs?  What deal did Columbus reach with Ferdinand and Isabella, and how did Ferdinand and Isabella view his discoveries as expanding their rule, as reinforcing their role as Catholic monarchs?   

In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella had won their campaign in the Granada war against the Muslim empire that had ruled the Iberian Peninsula.  Ferdinand and Isabella’s marriage united catholic kingdoms that would unify to become Spain. The country of Spain became a Catholic country that by the end 1492 had forced all Jews and Muslims to either convert to Catholicism or leave Spain. The fall of Granada gave Columbus the opportunity needed to continue his plan for exploration.

Columbus initially had met with King Joao II of Portugal with his plan but was rejected after the two could not come to an agreement about the split of profits. To me this shows that Columbus’ idea of exploration was fueled by the opportunity to acquire great wealth. Had Columbus wanted to explore for the experience and opportunity that may present itself he may have settled for less of the profit split. So exploration by Columbus was not performed for religious pursuit.

When Columbus met with the crown of Spain (Ferdinand and Isabella) his idea, which the route from Spain to China could be accomplished by sailing westward into the Atlantic, was doubted by the crowns maritime advisers. Yet Ferdinand and Isabella saw this as a good opportunity.

The crown of Spain and Columbus agreed to split the costs of exploration 7/8^th paid for by the crown and 1/8^th by Columbus himself. In return Columbus would receive 1/8^th of all profit. As well Columbus would take on class of admiral and become the viceroy of all lands found. For Columbus’ exploration he would also receive one tenth of all gold, precious stones, and merchandise acquired by the monarch.

It’s clear that to Columbus exploration offered the potential for much wealth and advancement in his social class. However to the Crown of Spain exploration by Columbus was a way to expand their rule and spread Catholicism. Ferdinand and Isabella had the opportunity to expand their land ownership. In those times the control of land created strength. With imperialism on the rise Spain had to expand to maintain any stature as an Empire. Spain had become a Catholic empire so with the expansion of Spain would come the expansion of Catholicism. The people of the new world found (which at that time they believed to just be china) could be taught Catholicism and become Catholics.