Primary & Secondary Sources
The Travels of Marco Polo
To the left is a page from the book The Travels of Marco Polo. It is said this book inspired Columbus to formulate his idea to sail westward to Asia. Columbus' notes in Latin, are located on the margins of his copy.
"This book was first printed in 1477; it was read critically by Christopher Columbus the copy with marginal notes by the great navigator may still be seen in the Columbian Library at Seville."
"This book was first printed in 1477; it was read critically by Christopher Columbus the copy with marginal notes by the great navigator may still be seen in the Columbian Library at Seville."
Ptolemy's Map of the World
Ptolemy's estimate of Eurasia was commonly accepted by most scholars and Columbus during the 15th century.
This map offers an excellent example of why Columbus believed he landed in Asia. Note during classroom review that the western hemisphere is not represented on this map. Map makers at that time were uncertain of the western hemisphere's existence.
Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli
"Florentine physician Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli notions of the geography of the Atlantic Ocean, directly influenced Columbus' plans.
Toscanelli, who corresponded with Columbus before his death in 1482, defended the feasibility of a westward
route to Asia."
The four voyages of Columbus
The map to the left shows the routes taken during Columbus' four voyages to the western hemisphere.
Columbus' Sketch of la Hispaniola
"In the archives of the Duke of Alba in Madrid there is a hasty outline sketch of the north and northwestern coastline of La Espanola (Hispaniola aka Haiti and the Dominican Republic) which Columbus drew as he coasted east in December 1492."
1492 Conquest of Paradise
"The motion picture account of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas. It was released in 1992 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the "discovery". It depicts the disastrous effects the Europeans had on the original inhabitants, and Columbus' struggle to civilize the New World."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxWBv4y3m4w
Clip lasts 9 minutes and 57 seconds. The encounter between Columbus and the indigenous peoples occurs at 3:30 to 4:05.
Columbus Man and Myth
"This video from the History Channel explores the time period when Columbus made landfall in the Caribbean. He believed it to be Asia--the intended destination.
Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic in search of a water route from Europe to Asia. He never found it, but he did accidentally discover the Americas along the way."
http://www.history.com/topics/christopher-columbus/videos#christopher-columbus-man-and-myth
Viewing time four minutes and 17 seconds.
Encounter by Jane Yolen
Encounter author Jane Yolen, offers the less acknowledged perspective of the indigenous people and their (her) interpretation of meeting Columbus.
A simplified review of the book states, "A Taino Indian boy on the island of San Salvador recounts the landing of Columbus and his men in 1492."