Christopher Columbus' Impact—And His Mixed Legacy - HISTORY

Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in 1492, but he wasn't Spanish. People claim he was Italian, but he wasn't quite that either. So what exactly is his story?

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During his fourth voyage Columbus was forced to take refuge in a cove off the shores of Hispaniola.

Though he didn't produce much profit for the monarchs of Spain, Columbus opened a path to the new world for all of Europe.

On Christopher Columbus's second voyage to the Americas, he enslaved the indigenous people and forced them to mine for gold.

Columbus compiled documents that were proof of assets bestowed upon him by the monarchs of Spain.

When Columbus made landfall in the Caribbean, he believed it to be Asia--his intended destination.

Columbus' modern ships were fast and strong enough for the rough Atlantic seas.