Christopher Columbus was a 15th century explorer who is considered a hero for being the first European to discover America in 1492. His voyages led to lasting contact between Europe and the Americas and sparked an era of European exploration, conquest, and colonization in the new world. Though seeking riches for Spain, Columbus also promoted the spread of Christianity and encouraged European settlement in America through his exploration and mapping of the region.

1. Christopher Columbus: Hero
By: Andrew Gates and Levi Curtis

2. Christopher Columbus lived from
1451-1506

3. Trade Route
Columbus was a hero because he not only
landed in America, but also was the person from
Europe who mapped it.

4. Discovers America in 1492
Columbus’s voyages led to the first lasting
contact with the Americas.

5. Reasons
This led to an era of European exploration,
conquest, and colonization in America.

6. Columbus Promoted Religion
Columbus himself had accomplishments in
America by spreading the Christian religion.

7. Colonization in America
“Columbus’s claim to fame isn’t that he got
there first,” explains historian Martin Dugard,
“its that he stayed.”

8. Driven to Acquire Gold
Columbus was trying to find
riches and bring it back for profit
in Spain.

9. Encouraged Pilgrims to Settle
His exploration led to mass colonization. There
was hope for a new land for people to settle and
start a new life.

10. Persistent and Powerful Man
It took him 10 years to convince the crown to
agree to pay for his first big voyage.
(Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria)