Why Columbus Sailed West: Seeking Asia's Riches

Christopher Columbus sought a **western sea route to Asia** (the "Indies") to access the lucrative spice, silk, and jewel trade—bypassing Ottoman-controlled land routes and Portuguese-dominated African sea routes.

Motivations

• Economic: Spices (pepper, cloves, nutmeg) were worth their weight in gold; direct access meant immense profit.
• Geographical Theory: He knew Earth was spherical (Eratosthenes, Aristotle) but underestimated its circumference (~30,000 km vs. actual 40,000 km), believing Asia was ~4,500 km west of Europe.
• Personal Ambition: Fame, nobility, governorship of discovered lands (Capitulations of Santa Fe, 1492).
• Religious Zeal: Spread Christianity; fund a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem.

Backing

After rejections by Portugal, Genoa, Venice, and England, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain agreed (1492), hoping to outflank Portugal's African route.

Outcome

He reached the Caribbean (Guanahani, October 12, 1492), believing it was Asia. Four voyages followed; he never accepted it was a "New World." His error reshaped global history.