What did Christopher Columbus believe he would accomplish by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean?

Answer 1

Columbus was trying to reach the "Indies" (China, Japan, India) by sailing westward across the Atlantic instead of east around Africa, which was a perilous journey at the time. Many map makers had underestimated the circumference of the Earth, or had placed China much farther to the east than it actually is. Even so, just crossing the Atlantic in sailing ships was a long and hazardous voyage.

When Columbus encountered the red-skinned native tribes of the Bahamas and Hispaniola, he called them Indians, considering them related to people in India and Southeast Asia. Only later did Spanish explorers realize that the Americas were a New World, unlike any place in Europe or in Asia.

Answer 2

colubus thought that he would find a better way to get to the indies a part of Asia rich with gold , spices and other goods

Answer 3

He was looking to reach Asia, but instead landed at San Salvador.

Answer 4

In 1492 he found the Bahamas. Never knew that North America existed.