What was chrisopher Columbus's main goal?

Answer 1

Columbus's main goals were twofold- Spanish expansionism and an increase in prestige for Spanish sea power.

His expedition was heavily subsidised by the Spanish monarchy and aristocracy, because it was very much in their own interests to do so. By the end of the 15th Century, few people any longer believed that the world was flat, and it was widely known that new lands of some kind lay far off on the Western side of the Atlantic Ocean. But not many people knew just HOW distant they were, nor how to succesfully navigate there. The Spanish Government knew that if Spain could establish a safe navigable passage to the Americas, and also establish the nature of the 'new' lands, this could potentially hugely increase Spain's influence. The natural resources found there, and lucrative trading agreements with the population, stood to enable the Spanish economy to become so powerful that it could make Spain the dominant financial power in Europe. Ultimately, there lay the possibility of mass Spanish colonialism leading to the 'new world' falling directly under Madrid's control.

There was also the question of a successful voyage being a huge Propaganda coup for Spanish seafaring. In those days, England and Spain were the two main naval powers in Europe- but England under the Tudors had the edge. If a Spanish expeditionary team was able to pull off a major success, this would have a profound psychological effect upon England's opinion of what Spain was capable of.

Answer 2

To establish a slave trade route for Spain and the medici's. First two ships had gold and last was for slaves. Why else did he need three ships. Everyone knew the earth was round way before him, and not to mention the fact the globe was invented that same year. He landed on America and thought he was in India when he saw the natives , which is why we call native people Indians.

Answer 3

He wanted to get to the Indies for the gold and jewels

Answer 4

Finding a new route to the Far East