Christopher Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 hoping to find a new sea route to Asia, but instead reached the Americas, landing in the Bahamas. While he thought he had reached Asia, Columbus actually discovered a new continent. When he returned to Spain, the resulting exports and imports of new goods and resources made Spain the most powerful country in Europe.

1. The Modern Age
The age of discovery

2. DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS
 During MIDDLE AGES
People made long journeys
across Europe and into Asia
by land.
Europe Asia
(traded for many years)
End of the XV century European explorers
went on ocean
expeditions
SEA OR LAND?
FASTER
Silk
Precious stones
Spices
(pepper and nutneg)
European countries:
wanted
new trade routes
ASIA

3.  CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS
DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS
Other navigators sailed around
the coast of Africa
Colombus decided to sail west
(across the Atlantic Ocean)
THE REYES CATÓLICOS
NEW SEA
ROUTES
TO ASIA

4.  CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS
DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS
THREE SHIPS
Santa María
(slowest)
La Niña
(smallest)
La Pinta
(fastest)
http://www.history.com/to
pics/exploration/christoph
er-
columbus/videos/columb
us-ships-are-marvels-of-
engineering#
Left Palos, Huelva 3rd August 1492
12th October 1492 arrived in
El Salvador (Bahamas)
Reached the Americas BUT
thought he had reached Asia
Died not knowing that he had
discovered a NEW CONTINENT!

5.  Important consequences
DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAS
Spain
Exported &
imported many
products
Exported: cloth, wool and leather
(craftworkers became richer)
Flour, cereals, oil and wine
(Farmers changed way they farmed)
Spanish ports (Sevilla) important & wealthy
Many ships were needed:
Ship-building industry
developed
Imported: fruit and vegetables
Raw materials: GOLD and SILVER
SPAIN
Most powerful
country in
Europe

6. TRUE OR FALSE?
 Christopher Colombus wanted to find
a new sea route to Spain.
 The three ships in his voyage were
called: La Niña, La Piña and La Santa
Merceded.
 Colombus had reached the Americas.

7. TRUE OR FALSE?
 He died knowing he had discovered a
new continent.
 Spain exported goods, but did not
import any products.
 Spain was the most powerful country
in Europe.